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MAR   3   1919 
The  "^^G/CALSt^^^ 


Centennial  History 


of  the 


Associate  iveformed  x  resby terian 


Church. 


1803-1903= 


Prepared    and    Published   by    order   of 
the    Svuod. 


Charleston,  S.  C. 

Presses  of  Walker,  Evans  &  Cogswell  Co., 

1905- 


PREFACE. 


The  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Synod,  at  its 
meeting  in  Chester,  South  Carohna,  November  loth  to 
14th,  1898,  appointed  the  Rev.  James  Boyce,  John  T. 
Chahiiers.  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  T.  G.  Boyce,  Dr.  J.  I. 
]\IcCain  and  J.  E.  ]\IcDonald,  Esq.,  a  committee  on  cen- 
tennial celebration.  The  Synod  at  its  meeting  in  Char- 
lotte, North  Carolina,  the  following  year,  adopted  the  re- 
port of  this  committee  and  among  other  things  provided 
for  "the  publication  of  a  centennial  history,  to  contain 
sketches  of  all  congregations  and  pastors  in  connection 
at  any  time  with  the  Synod,"  and  appointed  the  Rev.  O. 
Y.  Bonner,  Rev.  S.  A.  Agnew,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  \\'.  M. 
Hunter  the  editors  of  this  volume.  A^acancies  on 
this  committee  have  occurred  from  time  to  time. 
The  death  of  Dr.  Agnew  and  the  resignation  of 
Rev.  O.  Y.  Bonner  left  only  Rev.  W.  ]\I.  Hunter 
as  a  member  of  the  original  committee.  At 
the  Synod  of  1902,  at  Pisgah,  North  Carolina,  the  Rev. 
J.  C.  Galloway,  D.  D.,  was  elected  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee, and  at  various  times  the  following  names  have 
been  added  to  the  committee :  Rev.  J.  W.  Baird,  Rev.  C. 
E.  :\rcDonald,  Reiv.  J.  S.  ^'fiUs,  Rev.  J.  L.  Young.  Rev. 
C.  S.  Young,  Rev.  H.  B.  Blakely,  Rev.  I.  S.  Caldwell 
and  Rev.  B.  H.  Grier.  All  of  these  brethren  have  done 
faithful  work,  but  the  patience  and  perseverance  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Galloway  and  the  Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter  deserve 
special  mention.  They  have  been  unwearied  in  their 
search  for  historical  data  and  much  of  the  completeness 
and  historical  accuracy  of  these  sketches  are  due  to  their 
painstaking  efforts.  It  is  with  genuine  satisfaction  that 
the  volume  is  now  offered  to  tlie  public. 

Ja^ies  Boyce,  Chairman  Publication  Committee.. 


PREFACE. 


This  memorial  volume  was  prepared  by  order  of  the 
Synod  to  commemorate  the  centennial  of  the  organization 
of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  South,  the  predecessor  of  the 
said  Synod,  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas,  having  been  or- 
ganized at  the  Brick  Church,  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  May 
the  9th,  1803. 

The  volume  contains  a  brief  sketch  of  the  A.  R. 
Church,  the  Boards  of  the  Church,  and  the  various  Pres- 
byteries. Also  sketches  of  all  licensed  and  ordained  min- 
isters who  have  ever  been  in  connection  with  the  Synod, 
and  sketches  of  all  the  congregations  where  such  sketches 
were  obtainable.  And,  finally,  the  various  addresses 
which  were  delivered  at  the  Centennial  Synod  in  Winns- 
boro,  S.  C,  November,  1903. 

It  is  a  work  which  ought  to  have  been  done  years  ago, 
as  much  historical  material  is  now  irrecoverablv  lost. 

J.    C.    Galloway, 
W.  M.  Hunter, 
C.  E.  McDonald, 

B.  H.  Grier, 

L  S.  Caldwell,     \  Committee. 
J.  S.  Mills, 
J.  W.  Baird, 

C.  S.  Young, 
J.  L.  Young, 
N.  E.  Pressly, 

Gastonia,  N.  C.     ^ 
.April  20th,  1904. 


INDEX. 


PART  T. 

PAGE. 

History  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church i 

Sketch  of  Board  of  Foreign   Miissipns 6 

Sketch   of  Board   of  Home   Missions lO 

Arkansas    Presbytery        12 

First  Presbytery  14 

Georgia   Presbytery 19 

Kentucky    Presbytery    20 

Memphis   Presbytery 24 

Second    Presbytery    27 

Tennessee  and  Alabama   Presbytery 31 

Texas  Presbytery  35 

Tampico    Presbytery   2i^ 

Virginia    Presbytery    2)^ 

PART    H. 

Sketclies  of  Ministers  41 

PART  HI. 

Sketclies  of  Congregations  407 

PART   IV. 

Centennial   Addresses   615 

rThe  Organization. — By  Rev.  J.   C.   Galloway 615 

The    Men    who    Organized    the    Synod,    and    the    Churches 

whicli  Composed  it. — By  Rev.  T.  G.   Boyce 625 


X  INDEX. 

PAGE. 

The   Wives  of  the   A.   R.    P.   Ministers.— By  Rev.   W.   M. 

Hunter 637 

Scotch-Irish   Presbyterianism   in   History. — By   Hon.   J.   C. 

Hemphill     641 

Associate   Reformed    Presbyterianism    and    Education. — By 

Rev.  E.  B.  Kennedy  662 

Introductory  Remarks. — By  Hon.  J.  N.  Miller 640 

Associate     Reformed     Presbyterians     and     Missions. — By 

Rev.  S.  W.  Haddon  682 

What      the     Associate     Reformed      Presbyterian      Church 

Stands  For.— By  Rev.  J.   S.  Moffatt  692 

The  Hand  of  God  in  Our  History. — By  Rev.  W.  L.  Pressly  701 

The  Heritage  our  Fathers  Left  us. — By  Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips  716 

Introductory  Remarks. — By  Rev.  R.  G.  Miller 732 

The  Century  Before  us. — By  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr 733 


PART  I. 

A  GENERAL  SKETCH. 


THE  ASSOCIATE  REFORMED  PRESBYTE- 
RIAN CHURCH.— The  Associate  Reformed  Presbyte- 
rian Church  is  a  composite  body  of  Scottish  origin,  being 
formed  by  the  union  of  the  Associate  and  the  Reformed 
Presbyterians.  Both  of  these  bodies  came  into  existence 
in  protest  against  corruptions  in  the  EstabHshed  Church 
of  Scotland.  \Mien  Charles  II.  after  the  Restoration  im- 
posed prelacy  upon  Scotland  a  large  party  in  the  Scotch 
Church  true  to  the  covenants  in  which  they  had  sworn  to 
extirpate  prelacy  and  other  evils,  refused  to  conform. 
From  this  they  were  called  Covenanters.  By  persecution 
the  staunchest  of  these  were  driven  in  1679  to  armed  re- 
sistance. Defeated  and  outlawed,  they  suffered  fierce  per- 
secution until  William  III.  came  to  the  throne  in  1688. 
By  him  Presb}terianism  was  re-established  in  Scotland. 
But  on  account  of  the  royal  supremacy,  the  refusal  to 
recognize  the  covenants,  and  the  inclusion  of  the  prelat- 
ists,  some  of  the  Covenanters  refused  to  return  to  the 
Established  Church.  Of  these  was  organized  the  Re- 
formed Presbytery  in  1745. 

Events  proved  the  wisdom  of  their  course.  The  Es- 
tablished Church  soon  became  corrupt  in  doctrine  and 
tyrannical  in  government.  Under  the  law  of  patronage 
pastors  were  forced  on  unwilling  congregations.  In 
opening  the  Synod  of  Perth  and  Stirling  in  1732  Eben- 
ezer  Erskine  preached  against  these  abuses  and  was  re- 
buked. He  and  three  others  protested  and  were  rebuked 
bv   the    General    Assemblv.      Refusing   to   submit,    they 


2  A    GENERAL     SKETCH. 

were  deposed ;  and  soon  after  at  Gairney  Bridge,  Decem- 
ber 6th,  1733,  organized  themselves  into  the  Associate 
Presbytery. 

The  presbytery  thus  formed  grew  rapidly,  soon 
spreading  to  North  Ireland ;  whence  many  emigrated  to 
America,  settling  principally  in  Pennsylvania,  New  York, 
and  the  Carolinas.  In  1753  the  Associate  Presbytery  of 
Pennsylvania  was  organized.  Reformed  Presbyterians 
had  likewise  early  come  to  America  and  in  1774  a  Re- 
formed Presbytery  was  organized  near  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

Causes  which  kept  Reformed  and  Associates  sep- 
arate in  the  old  country  lost  their  meaning-  in  America. 
The  movement  for  political  union  and  independence, 
which  both  supported,  suggested  the  taking  of  a  similar 
ecclesiastical  step.  Accordingly  in  1777  there  were 
opened  negotiations  for  union  which  resulted  in  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  in  Phila- 
delphia, November  ist,  1782.  The  Westminster  Stand- 
ards were  adopted,  the  sections  concerning  the  civil 
magistrate  being  reserved  for  future  revision. 

At  the  time  of  this  union  there  were  more  than 
fifty  societies  of  Associates  and  Covenanters  south  of 
the  James  River.  In  this  wide  region  ministers  of  both 
bodies  had  labored ;  missionary  tours  had  been  made  by 
members  of  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania. 
There  had  been  one  pastoral  settlement.  With  the  form- 
ation of  two  other  pastorates  the  Associate  Reformed 
Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  was  organized 
at  Long  Cane,  S.  C,  February  24th,  1790,  with  four 
ministers  and  forty-four  congregations.  Ten  years  later 
this  presbytery  was  divided,  forming  the  First  and 
Second  presbyteries  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia. 

In  the  twenty  years  since  its  organization  the  growth 
of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  had  been  such  that  in 
1802  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  resolve  the  body  into 
four  synods  and  to  organize  a  General  Synod.     Accord- 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH.  3 

ingly,  on  the  9th  of  May,  1803,  the  Associate  Reformed 
Synod  of  the  Carolinas  was  organized  at  Ebenezer,  Fair- 
field county,  S.  C.  This,  with  the  synods  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, New  York,  and  Scioto,  organized  the  General 
Synod,  May  30th,  1804.  There  followed  five  or  six 
years  of  harmony,  during  which  a  theological  seminary 
was  established  in  New  York  City.  Later,  the  govern- 
ment of  the  denomination  became  centralized ;  the  Gener- 
al Synod  always  met  in  Philadelphia  •  on  account  of 
distance  the  outlying  synods  were  inadequately  repre- 
sented. In  the  dominant  party  there  developed  an  over- 
bearing spirit  and  a  laxity  of  practice  which  kindled 
jealousy  and  suspicion.  In  consequence  the  Synod  of 
Scioto  withdrew  and  became  independent  in  1820;  the 
Synod  of  the  Carolinas  followed,  April  ist,  1822,  chang- 
ing its  name  to  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the 
South.  That  there  was  ground  for  such  action  was 
proved  a  few  weeks  later  when  the  General  Synod, 
disregarding  the  vote  of  its  presbyteries,  united  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

These  events  left  the  Associate  Reformed  Church 
in  a  dismembered  condition,  the  several  synods  having 
no  organic  connection.  In  1826  the  Synod  of  the  South 
made  an  effort  to  have  the  General  Synod  reorganized, 
and,  in  spite  of  failure,  continued  to  cherish  the  hope  un- 
til the  growing  alienation  of  the  northern  synods  com- 
pelled its  abandonment  about  ten  years  later. 

At  its  organization  in  1803  the  Synod  of  the  Caro- 
linas had  about  two  thousand  members.  The  slow 
growth  which  characterized  the  next  thirty  years  was 
due  in  part  to  conditions  just  described ;  in  part  to  the 
work  of  a  closely  related  body,  the  Associate  Presbytery 
of  the  Carolinas,  in  the  same  field.  Organized  in  1803 
by  disaffected  Associate  Reformed  ministers,  it  divided 
the  field,  rent  congregations  and  caused  a  waste  of 
energy  in  dissension.  The  more  than  one  thousand 
members  which  it  gathered  should  have  been  Associate 
Reformed. 


4 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH. 


During  this  period  emigration  to  the  West  and 
Northwest  also  proved  a  constant  drain.  Those  moving 
to  the  Northwest  were  lost  to  the  Synod.  The  movement 
to  what  was  then  the  West,  while  causing  a  temporary- 
loss,  planted  many  new  congregations  and  stimulated 
the  Synod  to  great  missionary  activity.  The  States  of 
Georgia,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky 
were  for  many  years  traversed  at  intervals  by  ministers 
on  horseback  gathering,  organizing  and  holding  the 
dispersed  "Seceders"  till  a  regular  ministry  could  be 
provided.  The  results  of  this  work  were  seen  when  be- 
tween 1837  and  1843  four  new  presbyteries  were  organ- 
ized in  this  region. 

This  expansion  increased  the  demand  for  workers  • 
and  the  Synod,  since  1822  an  independent  body,  under- 
took to  educate  her  own  ministry.  Two  theological 
professors  were  elected  in  1825  and  served  several  years. 
In  1834  steps  were  taken  which  resulted  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  Erskine  College  four  years  later.  In  1837 
another  professor  of  theology  was  elected. 

In  no  period  of  her  history  has  our  Church  been 
more  active  and  prosperous.  In  1843  ^^e  publication 
of  a  monthly,  the  "Christian  Magazine  of  the  South," 
was  undertaken.  For  ten  years  the  Associates  had  been 
returning  and  in  1844  the  re-union  was  completed.  The 
missionary  spirit  outgrew  the  wide  home  field.  Con- 
tributions to  foreign  work  were  made  through  the  boards 
of  other  churches.  In  1843  there  was  begun  an  inves- 
tigation looking  to  independent  work  which  resulted  in 
the  African  Mission.  Both  in  America  and  Liberia 
colored  youths  were  put  in  training  for  service.  But  the 
plan  proved  a  failure  and  was  abandoned  about  ten  years 
later.  From  the  consequent  discouragement  the  mis- 
sionary spirit  began  to  recover  just  as  the  outbreak  of 
war  rendered   work   impossible. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  the  condition  of 
the   Associate   Reformed    Church   was    full   of   promise. 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH.  5 

The  generation  then  Hving  had  seen  field,  ministry,  and 
membership  grow  greatly.  Seven  new  presbyteries  had 
been  erected.  Institutions  of  learning  had  sprung  into 
vigorous  life.  The  war  arrested  progress  and  destroyed 
in  part  the  results  of  past  effort.  Endowments  were 
swept  away ;  institutions  were  closed.  The  wealth  of 
the  Associate  Reformed  people  was  destroyed,  but  not 
their  spirit.  With  zeal  disorganized  work  was  resumed, 
with  sacrifice  supported.  A  temporary  endowment  was 
provided  for  Erskine  College,  followed  after  a  few  years 
by  a  permanent  fund  which  approximates  $100,000.  A 
fund  of  $42,000  has  been  raised  for  the  Theological  Sem- 
inary. The  missionary  spirit  revived.  Plans  were 
perfected  for  work  in  co-operation  with  the  United 
Presbyterian  Board  and  in  1875  Miss  Mary  E.  Galloway 
was  sent  to  Egypt.  With  her  death  in  1881  work  in 
this  field  closed.  But  independent  work  had  already 
been  undertaken.  In  1878  Rev.  Neill  E.  Pressly  was 
sent  to  Mexico,  where  a  successful  and  growing  work  has 
been  prosecuted  since. 

There  has  been  a  like  revival  of  home  missionary 
activity,  attention  being  turned  more  and  more  to  cities 
and  towns.  Many  of  these  have  been  occupied  and  new 
fields  are  constantly  offering.  In  the  interest  of  home 
and  foreign  missions  and  education  the  Synod  is  raising 
a  fund  of  $60,000. 

For  some  years  there  has  been  a  growing  desire  for 
union,  or  reunion,  with  brethren  of  the  North  who  since 
1858  have  borne  the  name  of  United  Presbyterians.  But 
hitherto  neither  body  has  been  willing  to  make  conces- 
sion in  those  matters  of  minor  and  mainly  historical 
importance  which  alone  separate  them. 

The  present  condition  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church  is  one  of  health  and  growth.  In  doctrine  she  is 
sound ;  to  distinctive  principles  loyal ;  in  work  aggres- 
sive ;  in  spirit  united.  Her  growth,  while  slow,  has 
brought    in    no   element    of    weakness.       Her    present 


6  A    GENERAL     SKETCH. 

strength  is  indicated  by  the  following  statistics :  Pres- 
byteries 9;  congregations  151;  ministers  107;  members 
12,000. 

In  conserving  sound  doctrine  and  pure  worship  as 
well  as  in  saving  souls,  past  history  and  present  condi- 
tions alike  indicate  that  an  important  work  is  possible 
for  the  Associate  Reformed  Church. 

BOARD  OF  FOREIGN  MISSIONS.— The  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions,  as  at  present  constituted,  was  organ- 
ized in  1873.  This  Board,  however,  had  its  predecessors. 
In  1837,  at  a  Meeting  of  Synod  held  at  "Due  West  Cor- 
ner," the  following  action  was  taken : 

"Resolved  that  Messrs.  Wilson,  Flenniken  &  Young 
be  appointed  a  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  for  one  year." 

It  would  seem  however,  that  beyond  raising  some 
Funds  for  the  cause,  little  was  done  for  a  number  of 
years.  Such  Funds  as  were  raised  were  contributed  to 
the  Board  of  other  Churches,  in  1837  to  The  Board  of 
Commissioners  of  the  Synod  of  New  York,  and  in  1839, 
to  The  Board  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church. 
In  1843  the  question  of  establishing  a  Foreign  Mission 
of  its  own  began  to  be  agitated  by  the  Synod.  In  1845 
it  became  very  much  interested  in  Liberia,  on  the  west 
coast  of  Africa,  as  a  field  for  Foreign  Work.  As  a 
result  a  school  for  training  colored  men  for  work  in  this 
field,  was  established  in  Kentucky  under  the  supervision 
of  Rev.  N.  M.  Gordon,  and,  in  addition  to  this,  four  boys, 
natives,  were  maintained  in  the  school  of  Thos.  Ware, 
colored — afterwards  conducted  by  Rev.  H.  W.  Erskine, 
of  the  Presbyterian  Board — in  Liberia,  Africa,  with  •  a 
view  to  employing  them  as  Missionaries  to  their  own 
people.  The  following  extract  from  the  minutes  of 
Synod  of  1847,  will  show  how  lively  an  interest  was 
taken  in  this  scheme  at  that  time,  "The  Committee  to 
whom  was  referred  the  subject  of  the  African  Mission, 
have  had  it  under  consideration  and  recommend  that  a 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH.  7 

member  from  each  Presbytery  be  appointed  constituting 
a  Board  to  take  charge  of  the  whole  subject  as  to  employ- 
ing a  teacher  in  Africa,  selecting  proper  persons  and 
making  provision  for  their  education;  and  that  for  prose- 
cuting this  work  the  Board  be  directed  to  communicate 
with  the  churches  generally  on  this  subject  and  be  au- 
thorized to  draw  on  the  Foreign  Mission  Fund  for  the 
sum  of  $500."  "The  report,"  it  is  added,  "was  received 
for  consideration  and  after  a  full  and  harmonious  ex- 
pression of  opinion  on  the  subject  was  unanimously 
adopted.  Synod  then  united  in  singing  the  126th  Psalm 
and  in  prayer  by  J.  Wilson."  The  Board  provided  for 
in  this  action  consisted  of  Rev.  N.  M.  Gordon,  Rev.  T, 
Turner,  Rev.  W.  R.  Hemphill,  Rev.  J.  Wilson,  Rev.  L. 
McDonald,  and  Rev.  J.  M.  Young.  But  the  scheme 
failed  and  the  Church  was  so  discouraged  that  at  the  next 
meeting  of  Synod,  1857,  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions 
was  "discharged." 

In  1858,  the  very  next  year  the  Board  was  reorgan- 
ized. The  following  is  the  minute  in  relation  to  the 
reorganization.  "The  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions 
report  that  in  their  judgment  the  Synod  should  reorgan- 
ize the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  and  it  is  believed  that 
the  members  constituting  the  Board  should  live  in  the 
vicinity  of  each  other."  This  recommendation  was 
adopted  and  the  Board  as  reorganized  consisted  of  the 
following  persons.  Rev.  J.  Boyce,  D.  D.,  Rev.  R.  W. 
Brice,  Rev.  L.  McDonald,  Rev.  A.  R.  Ross,  Rev.  J.  C. 
Chalmers,  John  Simpson,  Henry  Elliott  and  J.  Y.  Mills, 
Esqrs.  Of  this  Board  Dr.  Boyce  was  Chairman  and 
Rev.  R.  W.  Brice,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  Its  Head- 
quarters were  at  "Chesterville"  S.  C.  This  Board  ad- 
dressed itself  vigorously  to  the  work  before  it,  and 
selected  Alexandria,  Egypt,  as  the  field  and  were  in 
earnest  search  for  a  Missionary  when  the  War  between 
the  States  put  an  end  to  this  work.  In  1873,  before  the 
country   or   the   Church   had   yet   recuperated    from   the 


8  A    GENERAL    SKETCH. 

ravages  of  war,  the  Synod  took  up  this  matter  again.  A 
conference  was  held  on  the  subject  of  Foreign  Missions. 
The  result  was  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  was  or- 
ganized once  more.  The  roll  of  that  Board  as  then  con- 
stituted is  as  follows :  Rev.  Jas.  Boyce,  D.  D.,  Rev.  H. 
T.  Sloan,  D.  D.,  Rev.  R.  W.  Brice,  Rev.  W.  M.  Grier, 
D.  D.,  Prof.  J.  P.  Kennedy,  Prof.  Wni.  Hood,  Rev.  J. 
I.  Bonner,  D.  D.,  Rev.  A.  R.  Ross,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  C. 
Chalmers,  Rev.  J.  P.  Weed,  Jas.  A.  Brice  and  Dr.  J.  L. 
Pressly. 

Dr.  Boyce  was  made  Chairman  of  this  Board  and 
Dr.  Bonner  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  On  April  29, 
1 88 1,  Dr.  Bonner  died  and  W.  L.  Pre^h^  succeeded  him 
as  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  On  July  29,  1889  Dr. 
Boyce  died  and  was  succeeded  in  the  Chair  by  Dr.  W. 
M.  Grier.  Dr.  Grier  died  Sept.  3,  1899,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Dr.  F.  Y.  Pressly,  who  still  (Mar.  1903) 
occupies  that  position. 

In  1874,  on  invitation  of  that  body  the  Synod  re- 
solved to  co-operate  with  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  in  its  work  in  Egypt,  and  on  Jan.  28,  1875,  Miss 
Mary  E.  Galloway  (afterwards  Mrs.  Giffen)  the  first 
Foreign  Missionary  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Presby- 
terian Church,  left  for  Egypt. 

In  1878  Synod  took  the  following  action : 

Resolved  ist.,  That  Synod  hereby  renews  its  pledge 
to  sustain  our  first  Missionary.  Mrs.  M.  E.  Giffen,  in 
Egypt. 

2nd.  That  the  Synod  will  enlarge  its  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Work. 

3rd.  That  in  said  enlargement  we  will  establish  an 
independent  Mission. 

4th.  That  said  independent  Mission  be  established  in 
Mexico. 

5th.  That  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  be  directed 
to  select  the  field  and  make  all  necessary  arrangements 
to  send  out  a  Missionary  as  soon  as  practicable." 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH. 


9 


Rev.  Neill  E.  Pressly  was  selected  as  the  Missionary 
and  Tampico  on  the  gulf  coast  of  the  State  of  Tamaw- 
lipas,  as  the  place.  ]\Ir.  Pressly  began  work  here  in 
Jan.  I,  1880.  This  city  is  the  center  of  that  part  of  the 
field  that  lies  on  the  gulf  coast.  It  is  also  the  seat  of  the 
Girls'  School  in  which  Miss  Alacie  Stevenson  and  Miss 
Mattie  Boyce  and  the  lamented  Miss  Fannie  L.  Wallace, 
have  rendered  such  efficient  service. 

In  1888  the  Mission  was  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of 
Rev.  J.  S.  A.  Hunter  and  wife.  ]\Ir.  Hunter  located  at 
El  Maiz. 

For  a  number  of  years  a  flourishing  school  has  been 
maintained  here,  conducted  by  Miss  Lavinia  Neel.  In 
1894  the  Mission  was  still  further  strengthened  by  Rev. 
J.  R.  Edwards  and  wife.  These  are  located  at  Rio  Verde, 
San  Luis  Potosi.  Besides  the  congregation,  the  Orphan- 
age is  under  the  care  of  Mrs.  Edwards.  The  Boys  and 
Training  Schools  under  Rev.  J.  G.  Dale,  and  the  medi- 
cal work  of  Mrs.  Catherine  Neel  Dale,  M.  D.,  are  all 
located  in  this  town. 

In  June  1888  the  Presbytery  of  Tampico  was  or- 
ganized. At  present  there  are  on  its  roll  the  names  of 
Foreign  Missionaries — four.  Natives,  ordained  ministers 
and  Licentiates,  seven.  The  Presbytery  has  a  Home 
Mission  Board  and  supports  one  Home  Missionary.  The 
field  covers  the  territory  of  three  States,  \"era  Cruz,  Ta- 
mawlipas  and  San  Luis  Potosi. 

Number  of  ordained  Ministers,  9 ;  Licentiates.  2 :  Fam- 
ilies, 112;  Communicants,  292. 

Collections  for   1902 $1 , 1 55.06 

Vnlue  of  property — 

Church    buildings    $18,600.00 

Parsonage    2,600.00 

School  property   6.000.00 

Orphanage  property  1,000.00 

Total  $28,200.00 


lO  A    GENERAL     SKETCH. 

BOARD  OF  HOME  MISSIONS.— The  idea  of  a 
Board  of  Home  Missions  originated  with  some  of  the  ag- 
gressive preachers,  but  came  before  the  Synod  at  New 
Hope,  S.  C,  Oct.  2ist,  1887,  in  the  form  of  a  resokition 
offered  by  Mr.  A.  G.  Brice,  directing  the  Committee  on 
Domestic  Missions  to  report  whether  or  not  the  organiza- 
tion of  such  a  Board  would  be  for  the  best  interest  of  that 
branch  of  our  work.  There  was  opposition  in  the  com- 
mittee, but  it  did  report  favorably  and  presented  a  plan 
for  the  formation  and  regulation  of  the  Board.  However, 
such  a  storm  of  opposition  was  raised  by  some  of  the  older 
and  influential  members  in  Synod  that  the  whole  matter 
was  deferred  for  a  year.  In  1888,  during  the  meeting  of 
Synod  at  Potts  Station,  Ark.,  the  matter  came  before 
the  committee  on  Domestic  Missions  and  there  was  such 
opposition,  that  the  member  from  the  First  Presbytery 
pledged  that  the  Board  would  not  cost  the  Synod  a  cent 
for  the  first  year,  that  all  expenses  would  be  met  by  First 
Presbytery.  The  committee  agreed  to  report  favorably. 
This  report,  though  opposed  by  some,  after  the  same 
guarantee  was  made,  was  adopted  by  the  Synod,  and  the 
plan  of  organization  was  accepted,  and  the  following 
persons  were  elected  to  constitute  the  Board  of  Ho/me 
Missions,  Revs.  W.  W.  Orr,  G.  R.  White,  C.  E.  Mc- 
Donald, R.  G.  Miller,  D.  G.  Caldwell  and  A.  G.  Brice, 
Esq. 

These  members  met  in  Charlotte,  at  a  hotel,  on 
November  20th,  1888,  and  organized  by  electing  the  fol- 
lowing officers : 

President,  R.  G.  Miller;  Cor.  Sec,  W.  W.  Orr; 
Recording  Sec,  C.  E.  McDonald ;  Treasurer,  G.  R. 
White.  The  first  year  was  spent  in  getting  the  work  in 
hand  and  in  organizing  Young  Men's  Home  Mission 
Societies  in  many  congregations.  These  contributed  to 
the  support  of  the  Board,  also  the  corresponding  sec- 
retary spent  three  months  in  the  field  holding  meetings 
and  stirring  up  the  Church  members;  and  received   177 


A     GENERAL     SKETCH.  n 

accessions  to  the  churches.  This  work  was  continued 
for  some  years  and  was  commonly  called  evangelistic 
work.  The  2nd  year  174  were  added  to  the  church  and 
the  3d  year  363. 

During  the  first  nine  years  of  the  Board's  existence 
while  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr  was  Cor.  Sec,  and  doing  more 
or  less  Evangelistic  work,  there  were  nearly  2600  persons 
added  to  the  Church,  and  over  $9,000.00  raised  for  the 
Home  Mission  work.  The  members  of  the  Board  wrrc 
re-elected  by  the  Synod  at  New  Hope,  Ky.,  in  1890. 
Rev.  C.  E.  McDonald  moving  to  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  re- 
signed, and  Rev.  C.  E.  Todd  was  elected  in  his  place  in 
1892.  In  1895  Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway  was  elected  to  take  the 
place  of  Rev.  C.  E.  Todd  who  moved  to  Due  West,  and 
at  same  time  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love  was  elected  to  take  the 
place  of  Rev.  D.  G.  Caldwell  who  was  also  at  Due  West. 
At  a  meeting  of  Synod  at  Chicota,  Tex.,  the  constitution 
of  Board  was  so  changed  at  the  request  of  Board  as  to 
consist  of  seven  members  instead  of  six,  and  Rev.  J-  T. 
Chalmers  was  elected  a  member.  The  Synod  at  Belfast 
Tenn.,  1897,  assigned  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr  to  the  Mission  at 
Corsicana,  Texas,  severing  his  connection  with  the  Board 
against  its  earnest  protest.  Rev.  James  Boyce  was  at 
the  same  meeting  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  in  his 
stead.  At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Board  Rev.  J.  T. 
Chalmers  was  elected  Cor.  Sec,  and  performed  well  all 
the  duties  of  that  office  except  inspection  of  stations  and 
evangelistic  work.  Since  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr's  severance 
from  the  Board  there  has  been  no  evangelistic  work  done 
by  the  secretary.  In  1898,  J.  S.  Moflfatt  was  elected  a 
member  to  fill  out  the  term  of  James  Boyce,  who  moved 
to  Due  West.  , 

During  the  ten  years  of  the  Board's  existence, 
through  its  agency,  fourteen  churches  have  been  organ- 
ized, with  a  membership  of  more  than  1,000.  Among 
these  are  Atlanta,  Columbia.  Rock  Hill,  Little  Rock, 
Corsicana  and  East  Avenue.  The  money  put  into 
churches  during  that  period  is  more  than  $85,000.00. 


12  A    GENERAL     SKETCH. 

In  1900,  Rev.  J.  T.  Chalmers  resigned  on  account  of 
his  decHning  strength,  and  Rev.  OHver  Johnston  was 
elected  in  his  place.  In  Dec.  of  the  same  year  the  Board 
was  reorganized  and  Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway,  D.  D.,  was 
elected  chairman,  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love  recording  sec- 
retary, R.  G.  Miller  cor.  sec,  and  Rev.  G.  R.  White 
treasurer.  On  account  of  distance  Rev.  Love  resigned 
recording  secretaryship  and  Rev.  Oliver  Johnston  was 
elected  in  his  stead.  , 

At  Pisgah  in  1902,  the  term  of  the  Boards  expiring, 
and  on  this  Board's  recommendation  (the  Board  of 
Church  extension  having  recommended  the  same  thing 
the  previous  year)  these  two  Boards  were  consolidated 
arid  their  work  combined.  The  members  were  increased 
to  nine. 

The  members  of  the  old  Board  of  Home  Missions, 
with  Dr.  George  Pressly  and  J.  G.  Bigham  were  elected 
members  of  the  new  Board,  and  it  was  named  "The 
Board  of  Home  Missions."  In  Dec,  1902,  Dr.  Galloway 
was  elected  chairman,  R.  G.  Miller  cor.  sec,  Oliver 
Johnston  recording  secretary,  and  G.  R.  White  treasurer. 

ARKANSAS  PRESBYTERY.— In  the  early  part  of 
the  past  century  the  tide  of  emigration  began  to  flow  from 
the  eastern  to  the  western  States.  Thousands  of  people 
left  their  homes  in  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  in  search  of 
a  more  fertile  soil  beyond  the  Mississippi.  As  early  as 
1850  a  considerable  number  of  Associate  Reformed 
Presbyterians  had  found  permanent  homes  in  the  State  of 
Arkansas.  They  settled  mostly  in  colonies  in  different 
parts  of  the  State,  and  where  they  had  sufficient  numbers 
asked  Synod  to  supply  them  with  the  ordinances  of  God's 
word. 

One  of  the  first  ministers  of  our  faith  to  visit  the 
State  was  Rev.  John  Patrick,  who  came  in  1852.  He 
visited  Pope  County,  and  after  visiting  other  points,  re- 
turned in  Jan.,  1853,  and  organized  Pisgah,  the  first  A. 


A     GENERAL     SKETCH.  13 

R.  p.  Church  organized  in  the  State.  A  Httle  later  Revs. 
W.  S.  Mofifatt,  J.  M.  Brown,  and  J.  K.  Boyce  came  into 
the  State  as  home  missionaries.  Rev.  John  Wilson  also 
visited  this  field.  Under  their  efficient  labors  the  Mon- 
ticello  church  was  organized  in  1855,  Mt.  Zion  in  1858, 
Hickory  Springs,  and  Prosperity  in  1859,  and  Saline  in 
1861. 

On  Friday  before  the  first  Sabbath  of  May,  1861, 
Revs.  John  Patrick,  J.  M.  Brown,  J.  A.  Dickson,  W.  S. 
Moffatt  and  A.  Alayn  met  at  Pisgah  church  and  organ- 
ized the  Arkansas  Presbytery.  The  territory  covered  by 
this  Presbytery  is  the  State  of  Arkansas. 

The  }ears  immediately  following  were  unfavorable 
for  church  work.  The  country  was  disturbed  by  the 
Civil  War.  Nearly  all  the  young  men,  the  hope  of  the 
church,  joined  the  army ;  homes  were  broken  up  and  the 
natural  support  of  the  church  taken  away.  The  general 
demoralization  incident  to  the  war  and  reconstruction 
days  proved  a  great  hindrance  to  the  church.  During 
this  period  the  only  additional  laborer  to  come  into  the 
presbytery  was  the  Rev.  David  Kerr. 

In  1867  there  were  two  additions  to  the  membership 
of  the  Presbytery.  Rev.  M.  Oates,  who  became  pastor 
of  Pisgah,  and  Rev.  John  Wilson,  who  supplied  Monti- 
cello.  About  this  time  Revs.  Brown,  Dickson  and  Kerr 
and  a  number  of  private  members  withdrew  and  con- 
nected with  the  Southern  Presbyterian  church. 

The  Ebenezer  church  was  organized  in  1869.  ^^  the 
same  year,  Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  came  into  the  bounds  of 
the  Presbytery,  and  labored  mostly  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  State,  for  the  space  of  six  years. 

In  1871,  New  Hope  church  was  added  to  the  list;  in 
1872  Rev.  J.  C.  McDonald  began  his  labors  at  Prosper- 
ity and  New  Hope;  in  1873  the  Shady  Grove  church  was 
organized,  and  in  1874  Rev.  J.  S.  A.  Hunter  and  Rev. 
W.  A.  Wilson  were  added  to  the  ministerial  force.  In 
1875  Cannp  Creek  was  organized  and  1879  Zion  Church. 


14 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH. 


In  the  latter  year  Rev.  J.  L.  Young  became  a  member 
of  the  presbytery  and  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Monticello  church.  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  labored  at 
Ebenezer  and  Zion  from  '80  to  '84 — and  Rev.  J.  P.  Er- 
win  continued  the  work  from  '85  to  '92.  Rev.  T.  G. 
Boyce  was  pastor  of  Shady  Grove  and  Hickory  Springs 
from  1888  to  1892,  and  Rev.  F.  B.  Stewart  served  in  the 
same  capacity  from  1894  to  1899. 

Churches  were  organized  at  Russellville  and  Little 
Rock  in  1893.  In  1895  Rev.  M.  T.  Ellis  began  his  pas- 
torate at  Prosperity  and  New  Hope.  In  1896  Rev.  J.  C. 
Douglas  became  pastor  at  Russellville.  Rev.  G.  G.  Par- 
kinson took  up  the  work  at  Little  Rock,  July,  1895,  and 
organized  a  church  at  Jacksonville  in  1896.  In  1898 
Rev.  J.  W.  McCain  began  his  work  at  Saline;  in  1900 
Rev.  J.  W.  Carson  at  Pottsville  and  Bethany;  Rev.  L. 
Hickman  at  Zion,  and  Rev.  A.  H.  Griffith  at  Little  Rock. 
Rev.  J.  A.  Smith  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Russell- 
ville church  in  April,  1902. 

At  present  the  presbytery  has  eight  active  ministers, 
twelve  churches  and  nearly  nine  hundred  members. 

THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERY.— The  First  Presbytery 
of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  South  was  formed  by  the  divis- 
ion of  the  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  into 
two  presbyteries. 

Neither  the  place  where  thir^i  organization  took  place 
nor  the  day  of  the  month  is  deraiitely  known.  It  oc- 
curred some  time  in  October,  1800.  As  an  organization, 
therefore,  it  antedates  the  Synod  of  which  it  forms  a 
part  by  something  like  two  and  one-half  years. 

At  that  time,  or  at  least  in  1798,  two  years  previous, 
there  were  eight  ministers  in  connection  with  the  Pres- 
bytery of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  vis.,  David  Both- 
well,  James  Rogers,  William  Blackstock,  Peter  McMullen, 
John  Hemphill,  James  McKnight,  Alexander  Porter  and 
William  Dixon. 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH.  15 

Of  these,  it  is  probable  that  Revs.  James  Rogers,  Wil- 
liam Blackstock,  John  Hemphill  and  James  McKnight 
became  the  original  members  of  the   First  Presbytery. 

The  following  churches  were  probably  embraced  in  the 
First  Presbytery  at  its  organization,  vh : 

In  South  Carolina:  Ebenezer,  (York  Co.)  Steel 
Creek  (sometimes  called  Blackstock),  Neely's  Creek, 
Ebenezer  (Fairfield  Co.),  Rocky  Creek  (now  Hopewell), 
Rocky  Creek  Meeting  House  (now  Union),  Ebenezer 
(now  New  Hope). 

In  North  Carolina :  Coddle  Creek,  Nezv  Hope  ? 
Gilead,  Prosperity,  Rock  Springs,  New  Sterling,  New 
Perth,  Sardis,  Providence  and  Waxhaw. 

In  the  division  of  the  original  Presbytery  of  the 
Carolinas  and  Georgia,  all  that  part  of  the  Presbytery 
lying  to  the  east  of  Broad  River,  was  designated  as  the 
territory  of  the  First  Presbytery.  And  probably  by  com- 
mon consent  a  line  drawn  on  about  the  sajme  parallel  of 
latitude  was  recognized,  extending  from  the  Atlantic 
Ocean  to  the  Mississippi  River,  for  about  the  year  1830, 
we  find  the  First  Presbytery  taking  the  oversight  and 
sending  supplies  to  a  congregation  in  Obion  County, 
Tenn.  While  at  a  later  period  the  churches  in  Virginia 
were  for  a  time  connected  with  the  First  Presbytery. 

But  the  division  of  the  Old  Presbytery  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  two  new  ones  was  not  altogether  agreeable 
to  some  of  the  members,  and  for  some  time  the  dividing 
line  between  the  First  and  Second  Presbyteries  was 
practically  ignored.  For  example :  Sardis  and  Provi- 
dence, N.  C,  and  Waxhaw,  S.  C,  remained  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Second  Presbytery  till  1805,  while  Cannon 
Creek,  Kings  Creek  and  Prosperity,  S.  C,  continued  un- 
der the  care  of  the  First  Presbytery  till  1825.  And 
Sharon,  Kings  Mountain  and  Turkey  Creek  were  under 
the  care  of  the  Second  Presbytery  until  they  left  the  A. 
R.  Church  and  united  with  the  Associate  Church. 

The  Records  of  the   Presbytery  for  the  first  twenty- 


i6 


A     GENERAL     SKETCH. 


nine  years  of  its  existence  have  been  lost.  The  earUest 
minutes  that  we  have  been  able  to  find  were  those  of  a 
meeting",  held  at  "Sardis  Meetinghouse,"  April  6,  1829. 
Members  present  Rev.  Messrs.  William  Blackstock,  John 
Hemphill,  James  McKnight,  Isaac  Grier,  Eleazer 
Harris.    Elders,  John  Millan,  James  Steel,  Aba  Scott. 

Rev.  Jas.  Rogers,  Robt.  Galloway  and  Jas.  Lowrie 
absentees. 

In  the  absence  of  statistics  it  is  impossible  to  present 
an  accurate  statement  of  the  relative  growth  of  the  Pres- 
bytery. But  the  minutes  above  quoted  show  that  the 
number  of  ministers  had  increased  one  hundred  per  cent, 
in  the  twenty-nine  3'ears  of  its  existence,  and  we  may 
suppose  that  the  memberhip  would  increase  in  something 
like  the  same  proportion. 

The  following  ministers  have  been  or  are  now  in  con- 
nection with  the  First  Presbvterv : 


James  Rogers 
John  Hemphill 
William  Blackstock 
James  McKnight 
Isaac  Grier 
Eleazer  Harris 
Robert  Galloway 
James   Lowry 
James  Boyce 
Warren  Flenniken 
Jonathan    Galloway 
John  Wilson 
W.  R.  Hemphill 
Robert  McElroy 
R.    C.    Grier 
James    Walker 
L.  McDonald 
S.  C.  Millen 
R.  A.  Ross 


J.  B.  Watt 
John  Hunter 
J.  K.  Boyce 

D.  McCaw 

M.  Elder,  Student 
I.  G.  McLaughlin 
R.  W.  Brice 
J.  A.  Sloan 
Horatio  Thompson 
John  Patrick 
Thos.  Ketchin 
John  Miller 
R.  F.  Taylor 
J.  R.  Castles 

E.  E.  Boyce 

D.    P.   Robinson 
W.  M.  McElwee 
James  M.  Walker 
A.  F.  Quay 


A    GENERAL    SKETCH. 


17 


H.  Robinson 
J.  E.  Pressly 
W.  B.  Pressly 

C.  B.  Betts 
S.  C.   Boyce 
J.  C.  Boyd 
R  Lathan 
M.  Gates 

R.  L.  Grier 
J.  H.  Simpson 
J.  H.  Peoples 
J.  C.  Chalmers 
A.  Ranson 
Josiah  Moffatt 
E.  E.  Pressly 
J.  McTodd 
J.  S.  A.  Hunter 
G.  R.  White 
R.  G.  Miller 
J.  S.  Mills 
W.  M.  Hunter 

D.  G.  Caldwell 
J.  M.  McLain 
W.  Y.  Love 

J.  P.  Marion 
W.  W.  Orr 
H.  R.  McAuley 
J.  A.  White 
W.  H.  MiUen 
W.   O.   Cochran 
H.  Rabb 
W.  T.  Waller 
J,  T.  Chalmers 
R.  M.  Stevenson 
M.  W.  Pressly 
C.  E.  McDonald 
J.  Boyce,  Jr 


W.  A.  ^I.  Plaxco 
J.  C.  Galloway 
J.  S.  Moffatt 
H.  B.  Blakely 
J.    M.    Grier 
C.  R.  Birnbach 
T.  B.  Stewart 
C.  E.  Todd 
T.  G.  Boyce 
J.  B.  Cochran 
R.  Y.  Mills 
J.  P.  Knox 
J.  M.  Garrison 

A.  G.  Kirkpatrick 
W.  S.  Castles 

J.  H.  Moffatt 

E.    B.    Anderson 

W.  C.  Ewart 

J.  H.  Pressly 

R.  Livingston  Grier 

J.  M.  White 

E.  F.  Griffith 

B.  H.  Grier 
S.  W.  Reid 
J.  S.  Grier 
O.  Johnston 
T.  W.  Sloan 
J.  G.  Dale 

A.   S.  Rogers 
J.  E.  Johnston 
S.  J.  Patterson 
R.  E.  Hough 
R.  L.  Robinson 
L.  T.  Pressly 
J.  M.  Bigham 
A.  J.  Ranson 
J.  B.  Hood 


i8 


A    GENERAL    SKETCH. 


T.  W.  Hayes 
J.  L.  Dates 
D.  P.  Neill 
W.  B.  Lindsay 
A.  H.  Griffith 
I.  S.  Caldwell 


J.  W.  Carson 
R.  Millen 
A.  T.  Lindsay 
R.  C.  Davidson 
J.  Knox  Montgomery 
J.  W.  Simpson 
E.  A.  Ranson 


STUDENTS : 


G.  W.  Hanna 
N.  E.  Smith 


B.  G.  Pressly 
G.  L.  Kerr 


Among  the  names  appearing  on  this  roll  will  be  found 
some  among  the  ablest  and  most  efficient  men  whom  our 
Church  has  produced,  and  some  whom  she  has  honored 
with  the  highest  gifts  in  her  possession,  while  as  a  whole 
they  constitute  a  class  of  sound,  earnest,  devoted  minis- 
ters of  the  Gospel,  who  have  spent  or  are  now  spending 
their  lives  with  much  self-sacrifice  and  a  commendable 
zeal  in  preaching  the  Gospel  of  the  Son  of  God. 

A  fine  spirit  of  unity  and  brotherly  love  has  always 
characterized  the  members  of  the  Presbytery  in  their  in- 
tercourse and  fellowship  with  each  other.  Earnest  at- 
tempts have  more  than  once  been  made  to  divide  the 
Presbytery,  on  account  of  its  size  and  the  extent  of  terri- 
tory it  covers,  but  on  account  of  this  fraternal  feeling 
it  has  so  far  failed.  The  most  earnest  advocates  of 
division  have  always  been  found  among  those  who  have 
been  but  a  short  time  members  of  the  Presbytery. 

To-day  the  Presbytery  as  a  body  is  doing  as  good  work 
as  at  any  time  in  her  history,  evincing  her  progressive 
spirit  in  the  organization  of  new  churches,  increasing  the 
membership  of  old  ones,  and  in  enlarged  liberality  in  the 
educational  work  of  the  Church  and  in  the  work  of 
Home  and  Foreign  Missions. 

The  last  minutes  present  the  following  statistics : 


A     GENERAL     SKETCH.  19 

Ministers,  28. 

Licentiates,  2. 

Students,  4,  Church  organizations,  =jO. 

Communicants,  4912. 

Contributions,  $27,047. 

S.  S.  Members,  3,389.     Contributions,  $1,244. 

Women's  Societies,  members,  785.  Contributions, 
$,1,860. 

Young  Peoples  Societies,  members,  923.  Contribu- 
tions, $493. 

The  following  persons  have  served  as  stated  clerk  of 
the  Presbytery  since  1832 :  Rev.  James  Boyce,  D.  D., 
H.  L.  Elliott",  Rev.  J.  C.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  T. 
Chalmers,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  G.  R.  White,  and  Rev.  James 
Boyce,  Assistant  Clerk.  Recording  Clerks :  Rev.  D.  G. 
Caldwell,  Rev.  R.  M.  Stevenson,  Rev.  B.  H.  Grier  and 
Rev.  J.  H.  Simpson. 

GEORGIA  PRESBYTERY.— On  the  12th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1842,  at  Due  West  Corner,  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the 
South  passed  an  Act  authorizing  the  organization  of  the 
Georgia  Presbytery.  In  accordance  with  this  Act,  John 
S.  Pressly,  David  C.  Haslet  and  Thomas  Turner,  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel,  and  Alexander  Cowan  and  \Ym.  Little, 
ruling  elders,met  at  Bethel,  Burke  County, Ga.,  on  Friday, 
31st  of  March,  1843.  After  sermon  by  Rev.  Thomas 
Turner  from  Zach.  4-10,  Presbytery  was  constituted  with 
prayer.  D.  C.  Haslet  was  chosen  moderator  and  T. 
Turner,  clerk. 

Rev.  J.  S.  Pressly  was  installed  pastor  of  Bethel  at  this 
meeting.  A  committee  was  appointed  "to  make  known 
the  state  of  the  church  and  to  propose  some  regulations 
proper  to  carry  into  effect  the  principles,  order,  and  prac- 
tice of  the  A.  R.  Church."  They  reported  nine  organized 
churches  known  by  the  following  names  and  places : 
Bethel,  in  Burke  County,  Ebenczer,  in  Jefferson,  statedly 
supplied  by  one  minister ;  Smyrna ;  a  vacancy  in  Stewart 


20  A     GENERAL     SKETCH. 

County ;  Hopewell,  in  Newton  County ;  Providence,  in 
Campbell  Co. ;  Bethesda,  in  Cobb  County ;  Prosperity,  in 
DeKalb  County;  Oathcaloga  and  Pine  Log  and  Sardis, 
in  Benton  Co.,  Ala.  Besides  these  organizations,  there 
were  several  Mission  stations  where  churches  could  have 
been  quickly  established  had  there  been  an  adequate 
number  of  ministers.  The  fields  were  white  to  the  har- 
vest, but  the  laborers  were  few.  All  this  great  field  had  to 
be  worked  by  three  or  four  men.  The  history  of  this 
presbytery  is  a  sad  one.  It  is  a  story  of  superhuman  ef- 
fort and  of  inevitable  failure.  These  three  ministers  for 
many  years  led  a  forlorn  hope.  The  Synod  gave  them  all 
the  help  she  could,  sending  a  supply  for  a  year  or  part  of 
a  year.  The  Presbytery  in  turn  supported  the  enterprises 
of  the  church,  contributing  to  the  College  and  Seminary, 
Home  and  Foreign  Missions  from  time  to  time.  Their 
great  desire  and  prayer  was  for  an  increase  of  ministers. 
Their  hopes  sometimes  brightened  as  now  and  then  a 
young  man  came  into  their  bounds.  The  fidelity  with 
which  the  people  clung  to  the  faith  of  their  fathers  was 
truly  pathetic.  Some  of  them  had  preaching  once  a 
month ;  some  once  in  two  months ;  some  two  or  three 
times  in  a  year ;  some  none  at  all.  It  is  not  strange  that 
many  sought  a  church  home  in  other  denominations. 

The  matter  of  organic  union  with  the  G.  A.  P.  Church 
was  seriously  considered  by  the  Presbytery.  Communi- 
cation between  the  different  churches,  at  all  times  difficult, 
was  rendered  impossible  by  the  war  between  the  States. 
During  this  period  and  soon  after,  many  of  the  churches 
in  this  Presbytery  disintegrated  and  some  of  her  ministers 
sought  and  found  fields  of  labor  in  other  branches  of  the 
church.  Those  who  remained  decided  to  unite  with  the 
2nd  Presbytery  of  the  A.  R.  Synod.  The  last  meeting  of 
the  Georgia  Presbytery  was  held  Friday,  March  the  26th, 
1869,  at  White  Oak  Church,  Coweta  County,  Ga. 

PRESBYTERY  OF  KENTUCKY.— This  Presbytery 
was  created  by  an  act  of  the  General  Syod,  in  dividing 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH.  21 

the  Second  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. It  was  formally  organized  Feb.  ii,  1801,  in  Lex- 
ington, Ky.,  Rev.  Adam  Rankin  preaching  the  opening 
sermon  from  Matt.  10:16.  The  following  ministers  were 
present :  Revs.  Adam  Rankin,  John  Steele,  and  Abraham 
Craig,  and  elders  David  Logan,  James  Parks  and  Thomas 
Stewart.  It  embraced  the  larger  portion  of  five  States, 
viz :  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 

In    181 5   the   following  names   appear   on   the   roll: 
Adam  Rankin,  Abraham  Craig,  John   Steele,  Wm.  H. 
Rainey,  Alex.  Porter,  David  Risk,  Wm.  Baldridge,  Robt. 
H.    Bishop,    John    McFarland,    Samuel    Brown    and    S. 
Crothers. 

In  1 8 16  all  the  territory  north  of  the  Ohio  River  was 
cut  off  and  formed  into  new  Presbyteries,  leaving  only 
Rankin,  Rainey,  Steel,  Bishop  and  IMcChord  in  the  Ken- 
tucky Presbytery. 

By  reason  of  controversies  and  difficulties  among 
themselves  all  progress  was  arrested,  though  the 
churches  north  of  the  Ohio  seemed  to  increase  rapidly. 
Bishop  and  Steel  moved  north,  McChord  changed  his 
church  connection,  and  Rankin  died,  leaving  only  Wm. 
H.  Rainey.  On  Aug.  30,  1820,  the  Synod  of  the  West 
reorganized  the  Presbytery  with  Rainey  and  Samuel 
Brown  and  elders  James  Beaty  and  Jaimes  Steel.  In 
1826  the  slavery  question  began  to  be  agitated  more 
earnestly  than  ever.  From  this  date  removals  of  individ- 
uals and  families  to  the  States  north  of  ibc  Ohio  River 
so  much  reduced  the  number  that  only  two  minis- 
ters were  left,  viz.,  W.  H.  Rainey  and  Hugh  j\Iayne.  The 
churches  had  very  little  preaching  for  several  years,  and 
Hinkston  and  Flemingsburg  joined  the  Presbytery  of 
Chillicothe,  O.,  Synod  of  the  West.  The  Presbytery 
of  Tennessee  was  organized  in  1836 — cutting  off  terri- 
tory on  the  South. 

In  1840  the  churches  made  overtures  to,  and  asked 
supplies  of  preaching  fro^n  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  South 


22  A    GENERAL    SKETCH. 

The  following  year,  Oct.,  1841,  Revs.  N.  M.  and  G. 
Gordan  were  sent  to  them,  and  on  Friday  before  the 
3rd  Sabbath  of  Dec.,  1842,  the  Presbytery  was  formally 
organized  at  Ebenezer,  Jessamine  County,  in  connection 
with  the  Synod  of  the  South,  with  which  it  has  remained 
to  the  present  time.  The  opening  sermon  was  preached 
by  G.  Gordon  from  ist  Pet.  2:3.  and  H.  Berry  and 
Robert  Guyn  were  present  as  elders.  The  following  year 
Rev.  W.  H.  Rainey  and  S.  S.  Ralston  were  added  to  the 
Presbytery.  (The  former  presenting  to  the  Presbytery 
the  official  records  of  the  original  Presbytery  since  its 
organization  in  1801,  in  a  large  folio  book  still  in  good 
state  of  preservation.)  At  that  period  the  following 
names  of  churches  appear  on  the  roll :  Ebenezer,  Mt. 
Olivet,  Shelbyville,  Round  Top  or  New  Hope  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  Mt.  Zion,  Buffalo  and  Concord  in  Missouri. 
In  1845  Hinkston  and  Flemingsburg  were  received  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Chillicothe,  and  in  1854  a  church  was 
organized  in  Louisville.  Also  one  at  Clarksburg,  Ind., 
in  1847.  It  was  from  the  church  at  Clarksburg  that  the 
question  of  marriage  with  a  deceased  wife's  sister,  vis., 
John  Kincaid  and  Mary  E.  Kincaid,  Sept.  ist,  1849,  came 
before  the  Presbytery  and  was  referred  to  Synod,  and 
caused  serious  agitation  for  several  years. 

In  1850  when  the  subject  of  establishing  a  Foreign 
Mission  in  Africa  was  agitated,  a  training  school  to  edu- 
cate and  train  negro  men  as  missionaries  was  established 
by  the  Synod  under  the  care  of  Rev.  N.  M.  Gordon  in 
Jessamine  County.  The  effort  was  continued  only  a  short 
time,  and  abandoned  in  1853. 

The  settled  pastors  of  the  Presbytery  were,  N.  M.  Gor- 
don, at  Ebenezer;  G.  Gordon,  at  Mt.  Olivet;  T.  S.  Lee, 
at  Hinkston ;  S.  .C.  Boyce,  at  New  Hope ;  and  S.  S 
Ralston,  at  Mt.  Zion.  Quite  a  number  of  the  ministers 
of  Synod  at  various  times  did  missionary  work,  some- 
times for  a  period  of  several  years  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Presbytery. 


A    GENERAL    SKETCH.  23 

The  proposition  for  union  with  the  Southern  Presby- 
terian Church  came  before  the  Presbytery  in  a  paper 
prepared  by  Rev.  N.  M.  Gordon  on  the  "State  of  the 
Church,"  Aug.  23,  1867.  The  final  vote  on  this  question 
was  taken  May  13th,  1870,  at  Hinkston,  to  be  carried 
into  effect  on  Oct.  13,  1870.  The  vote  stood  eight  for, 
and  six  against  it.  Of  the  six  congregations  composing 
the  Presbytery  at  that  time,  three  voted  sohdly  against 
it  and  the  remaining  three  were  divided.  By  this  action 
the  Presbytery  lost  Revs.  N.  M.  and  G.  Gordon,  T.  S. 
Lee  and  W.  M.  McElwee.  The  Presbytery  was  at  once 
reorganized  by  the  remaining  ministers,  Rev.  J.  G.  Miller 
and  J.  A.  Myers  and  Elders  Wm.  A.  Anderson  and  Robt. 
Butler.  The  churches  all  retained  their  property  except 
one,  vh.,  Louisville,  which  was  afterwards  reorganized 
and  obtained  possession  by  the  payment  of  a  sum  equal 
to  one  half  its  value. 

Rev.  W.  R.  Hemphill,  D.  D.,  came  to  this  Presbytery  in 
November,  1870,  and  rendered  excellent  service  for  three 
years.  The  longest  period  or  stated  supply  was  that  of 
Rev  J.  G.  Miller,  from  i860  to  1875,  at  Mt.  Zion,  Mo. 

The  following  are  the  settled  pastorates  since  1870, 
vis. :  Rev.  D.  B.  Pressly  at  Hinkston  and  Mt  Olivet 
from  1871  to  1886,  W.  O.  Cochran,  New  Hope  and 
Ebenezer,  from  1880  to  1884,  Rev.  W.  H.  Millen,  Ebe- 
nezer  and  Hinkston  from  1892  to  1896,  Rev.  James 
Boyce,  at  Louisville  from  1882  to  1896,  and  Rev.  S.  W. 
Reid  at  Louisville  from  1898  to  the  present.  Mt.  Zion, 
Rev.  F.  Y.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  from  1882  to  1886,  and  Rev. 
B.  H.  Grier  from  1889  to  1893,  and  Rev.  W.  S.  Castles 
one  year,  1896. 

Since  1870  the  Presbytery  has  made  an  enviable  rec- 
ord in  meeting  its  assessments  in  full  for  the  various 
purposes  of  Synod.  Mrs.  Ann  L  Wallace  of  the  New 
Hope  congregation  donated  $15,000  to  Erskine  College, 
and  more  than  $5,000  to  various  other  purposes  of  the 
Church. 


24 


A    GENERAL    SKETCH. 


The  Presbytery  has  been  well  represented  in  the 
Foreign  Mission  fields.  Revs.  Potter  and  Love  in  China, 
the  Gambles  and  Shaws  in  India,  and  the  Fraziers  in 
Egypt  trace  their  ancestry  to  Hinkston,  and  Miss  Fannie 
Wallace,  who  was  so  suddenly  cut  down  in  Mexico  in 
the  service  of  our  own  Board,  was  from  New  Hope. 

The  longest  period  of  service  by  any  minister  was 
rendered  by  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Rainey,  who  served  from 
1803  to  1850.  Through  all  the  changes  that  came  he 
was  faithful  to  the  end,  and  was  ever  true  to  the  cause. 

The  Presbytery  has  at  present  six  congregations  with 
an  aggregate  membership  of  three  hundred  and  thir- 
teen. 

MEMPHIS  PRESBYTERY.— The  Memphis  Presby- 
tery was  organized  according  to  order  of  Synod  at  Eben- 
ezer  church,  Tippah  County,  Mississippi,  April  15th,  1853. 
It  was  composed  of  churches  in  west  Tennessee  and  north 
Mississippi  that  had  previously  belonged  to  the  Tennes- 
see and  Alabama  Presbyteries.  The  name  was  taken 
from  Memphis,  Tenn.,  the  chief  city  of  that  section.  The 
roll  of  members  and  congregations  at  the  time  of  organi- 
zation was  as  follows : 

Ministers—].  Wilson,  J.  L.  Young,  J.  P.  Weed,  H.  H. 

Robinson,  J.  K.  Boyce ;  absent,  J.  A.  Sloan. 
Elders— A.  McOuiston,  Major  R.  McBride. 
Commissioners — O.     Buchanan,    J.     Caldwell,     Dr.     E. 

Agnew. 
Congregations — Bethany,  Ebenezer,  Hopewell,  Mt.  Car- 

mel,  Shiloh,  in  Mississippi. 
Salem,   Sardis,  Troy,   Union    (now   Beulah),   in  Tenne- 

see. 

In  1857  by  action  of  Synod  the  work  in  Arkansas  was 
placed  under  the  inspection  of  this  Presbytery,  and  in 
1859  the  church  in  Starkville,  Miss.,  and  the  work  in 
Holmes  County,  Miss.,  was  transferred  from  the  Ala- 


A    GENERAL    SKETCH  25 

bama  Presbytery  to  this,  and  the  names  of  David  Pressly 
and  J.  A.  Dickson  were  added  to  the  roll  of  ministers. 

The  largest  enrollment  at  any  time  has  been  fourteen 
ministers,  and  that  was  immediately  preceding  the  form- 
ation of  the  Arkansas  Presbytery,  which  removed  four 
names  from  the  roll. 

The  first  settlers  were  chiefly  farmers  from  the  Caro- 
linas  seeking  better  and  cheaper  lands.  The  country  was 
one  which  the  Lord  had  blessed;  the  resources  were 
varied  and  abundant,  and  vegetation  grew  in  rank  lux- 
uriance. The  advantages  and  disadvantages,  the  joys 
and  sorrows  of  frontier  life  were  allotted  to  these  people. 
As  the  country  became  settled  and  somewhat  worn  the 
westward  movement  continued,  and  congregations  that 
had  been  formed  in  this  way,  after  a  season,  began  to 
suffer  from  the  same  and  some  have  altogether  disap- 
peared. 

At  the  first  meeting  steps  were  taken  to  establish  a 
Presbyterial  school,  which  was  located  near  Ebenezer 
Church,  and  was  continued  several  years  under  the  care 
of  Mr.  J.  C.  Irwin. 

In  April,  1865,  on  motion  of  Rev.  S.  A.  Agnew,  the 
following  resolution  was  adopted :  "That  a  member  of 
the  Presbytery  be  appointed  to  preach  a  sermon,  or  read 
an  essay  at  each  regular  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  on 
some  particular  passage  of  Scripture,  or  subject  to  be 
assigned  by  the  Presbytery." 

On  motion  of  Rev.  J.  G.  Miller,  in  ]\Iay,  1888,  the 
Presbytery  inaugurated  "a  course  of  conferences  relat- 
ing to  the  doctrines  of  our  holy  religion,  and  points  of 
practical  godliness,"  to  be  held  at  each  regular  meeting 
in  the  spring,  and  to  take  the  place  of  the  special  sermon. 
The  committee  on  Nominations  select  the  subject  and 
preacher  for  the  Presbyterial  sermon,  and  the  pas- 
tor and  session  with  whom  the  meeting  shall  be  held 
prepare  and  publish  the  program  for  the  conference. 
In  this  way  provision  is  made  for  a  special  service  at  each 


26  A     GENERAL    SKETCH 

regular  meeting.  The  work  has  been  well  done.  In- 
teresting and  important  subjects  have  been  selected,  ex- 
cellent sermons  and  addresses  delivered,  and  a  number 
of  these  published  by  request  of  the  Presbytery.  This 
arrangement  has  been  quite  satisfactory  and  will  likely 
be  continued.  About  thirty-five  sermons  have  been  de- 
livered, and  fifteen  conferences  held. 

Since  1893  a  convention,  composed  of  delegates  from 
the  various  societies  in  the  churches  and  the  ministers, 
has  been  held  annually.  This  generally  meets  in  connec- 
tion with  and  immediately  preceding  the  fall  meeting 
of  Presbytery,  and  addresses,  essays,  readings,  and  re- 
citations are  delivered  according  to  a  previously  arranged 
program. 

Attention  has  been  devoted  to  evangelistic  work,  and 
at  intervals  of  a  few  years  the  Presbytery  has  endeavored 
to  have  all  of  its  congregations  favored  with  special  pro- 
tracted services. 

The  claims  of  the  beneficiary  work  have  been  recog- 
nized, and  a  number  of  young  men  have  been  assisted 
financially  in  prosecuting  their  studies.  Mr.  John 
Adams  of  Tipton  County,  Tenn.,  in  1891,  bequeathed 
$1,000  to  the  Presbytery  which  is  "to  be  safely  invested 
and  the  interest,  and  only  the  interest  arising  therefrom, 
to  be  expended  by  the  Presbytery  in  preparing,  or  aiding 
to  prepare,  candidates  for  the  ministry  under  the  care 
of  the  Presbytery."  Two  years  later  the  Presbytery 
was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Tennes- 
see and  seven  Trustees  were  elected  to  manage  this  fund. 
Two  hundred  dollars  of  beneficiary  fund  in  hand  were 
added  as  principal  to  the  above  bequest,  making  a  sum 
of  $1,200,  the  interest  of  which  can  be  used.  When  the 
Board  of  Ministerial  Relief  was  formed  by  the  Synod 
it  was  located  within  this  Presbytery,  and  Prof.  R.  E. 
Robison  having  been  a  leading  advocate  of  the  forma- 
tion of  this  Board  was  made  President  of  the  same. 

This  Presbytery  generally  observes  the  practice  of  ro- 


A    GENERAL    SKETCH  27 

tation  in  distributing  honors,  privileges  and  labors 
among  its  members,  and  in  selecting  the  place  of  meeting. 

At  the  regular  meeting  in  the  spring  of  1903,  the 
semi-centennial  anniversary  of  organization  was  cele- 
brated. It  seems  that  during  these  fifty  years  of  its 
existence,  semi-annual  meetings  were  held  regularly,  not 
one  omitted,  a  commendable  interest  was  manifested  in 
the  enterprises  of  the  Synod,  the  standard  of  righteous- 
ness was  held  up,  truth  proclaimed,  and  sin  condemned. 

The  following  persons  have  been  licensed  to  preach  by 
this  Presbytery:  S.  A.  Agnew,  J.  H.  Strong,  W.  S. 
Moffatt,  T.  Davis,  J.  A.  Dickson,  T.  P.  Pressly,  D.  W. 
Wiseman,  J.  W.  Baird,  J.  P.  Erwin,  Peter  Bryson,  S. 
J.  Patterson,  R.  S.  Harris,  J.  W.  McCain,  J.  L.  Boyd, 
R.  W.  McDaniel,  D.  P.  Pressly. 

The  following,  reared  in  and  some  of  them  financially 
aided  by  this  Presbytery,  as  a  matter  of  convenience, 
were  licensed  by  another.  Calvin  Pressly,  J.  B.  Muse, 
E.  E.  Strong,  C.  M.  Boyd. 

The  roll  of  deceased  Ministers  is  as  follows :  J.  L. 
Young,  J.  L.  ]\IcDaniel,  H.  L.  Murphy,  J.  K.  Boyce, 
R.  L.  Grier;  H.  H.  Robison,  D.  W.  Wiseman,  D.  Pressly, 
D.  D.,  J.  H.  Strong,  J.  P.  Weed,  S.  A.  Agnew,  D.  D. 

HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  SECOND  PRES- 
BYTERY.— The  order  of  Synod  dividing  the  Presbytery 
of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  into  the  First  and  Second 
Presbyteries  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  was  adopted 
October,  1800.  The  territory  allotted  the  second  was  the 
counties  in  South  Carolina  west  of  Broad  River  and  the 
State  of  Georgia.  The  ministers  assigned  were  Revs. 
David  Bothwell,  William  Dixon,  Peter  McMullan,  and 
Alexander  Porter. 

The  first  meeting  was  held  at  Cedar  Spring,  Abbeville, 
S.  C,  April  8th,  1801.  The  ministers  above  mentioned 
were  present,  except  David  Bothwell,  who  died  in  June 
of  that  year.     David  Bothwell  -vas  pastor  of  Buckhead 


28  A    GENERAL    SKETCH 

and  Big  Creek,  and  preached  at  other  churches  in  Jef- 
ferson and  Burke  Counties,  Georgia.  Peter  McMullan 
was  pastor  of  the  church  at  Due  West,  Alexander  Porter 
of  Cedar  Spring  and  Long  Cane,  S.  C,  and  Mr.  Dixon 
of  Sharon,  S.  C,  and  Kings  Mountain,  N.  C.  There 
were  other  organized  churches  as  the  minutes  indicate 
and  petitions  for  preaching  from  numerous  places  in  the 
Carolinas  and  Georgia.  The  principle  business  transacted 
at  that  ',meeting  was  a  scale  of  supplies  of  preaching  for 
the  vacancies  by  the  pastors  and  probationers.  James 
McGill  and  James  McCauley  were  present  as  Probation- 
ers, and  Isaac  Grier  and  Robert  Irwin  as  students.  There 
is  no  data  remaining  by  which  we  can  ascertain  the  num- 
ber of  communicants. 

The  people  were  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction  and  most 
of  them  or  their  immediate  ancestors  had  emigrated 
from  Antrim  and  the  adjacent  counties  of  Ireland.  Some 
of  those  persons  had  suffered  civil  pains  and  penalties 
for  the  conservative  system  of  faith  and  Scriptural  rit- 
ual of  worship,  which  they  brought  to  their  adopted 
country. 

The  Presbytery  ordained  and  installed  James  McGill 
pastor  of  Little  River  and  Rocky  Creek,  Abbeville,  S.  C, 
in  1801.  The  students  completed  their  course  of  study 
the  next  year  and  Robert  Irwin  was  installed  pastor  of 
Generostee  and  Diamond  Hill  in  South  Carolina,  and 
Isaac  Grier  of  Sardis,  N.  C,  and  Waxhaw,  S.  C.  In 
1805  Isaac  Grier  and  his  churches  were  transferred  to 
the  First  Presbytery.  The  growth  of  the  Presbytery 
was  very  slow  for  many  years.  Dr.  Lathan  in  his 
history  of  the  Synod  suggests  that  the  reasons  for  this 
slow  growth  were  the  organization  of  the  Associate 
Presbytery ;  immigration  to  the  Western  and  North- 
western States,  and  the  lack  of  institutions  for  training 
young  men  for  the  ministry.  To  remove  the  last  mem- 
tioned  hindrance  to  growth  the  Synod  in  1825  elected 
Rev.  J.  Hemphill,  of  the  First,  and  Rev.  J.  T.  Pressly  of 


A     GENERAL     SKETCH 


29 


the  Second  Presbytery,  to  teach  theology  in  connection 
with  their  work  as  pastors.  In  consequence  of  that 
action  the  number  of  ministers  and  churches  was  in- 
creased. The  pastors  and  probationers  of  this  and  the 
First  Presbytery  had  for  many  years  been  doing  home 
missionary  work  in  other  States,  and  now  a  pastorate  in 
Alabama  and  one  in  Tennessee  was  established  under  the 
supervision  of  this  Presbytery.  At  that  time  the  churches 
in  Newberry,  S.  C,  were  transferred  to  the  Presbytery 
and  the  churches  in  Laurens  County  began  to  arrange  for 
a  pastor. 

From  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  on  this  effort  to  in- 
crease the  number  of  ministers,  a  classical  school  was 
established  by  the  Synod  at  Due  West  in  1836.  The 
following  year  a  teacher  of  theology  was  added  to  that 
school.  In  1842  that  Institution  had  grown  into  Erskine 
College,  and  Clark  and  Erskine  Theological  Seminar^^ 
The  churches  in  Alabama,  Tennessee,  and  Georgia  were 
organized  into  Presbyteries,  and  the  number  of  churches 
increased  and  supplied  with  pastors.  That  was  the 
dawn  of  an  era  of  great  prosperity  and  extended  to 
i860.  From  the  beginning  the  colored  people  had 
been  received  as  members  of  the  churches  to  which 
their  masters  belonged,  and  extended  the  enjoyment 
of  all  the  ordinances.  Pastors  and  other  officers 
were  instructed  to  look  well  to  these  members  of 
their  household.  In  many  cases  they  were  given 
the  rudiments  of  education  in  disregard  of  the  statutes 
of  the  State. 

The  war  of  the  Sixties  interrupted  and  in  fact  paral- 
yzed all  of  the  activities  of  the  Presbytery.  One  of  the 
pastors,  H.  T.  Sloan,  D.  D.,  became  a  Chaplain,  and  others 
spent  considerable  periods  of  time  in  ministering  to  their 
meimbers  as  soldiers  in  camp ;  two  of  the  students  were 
killed  in  battle  and  others  diverted  from  the  purpose  of 
preparing  for  the  ministery.  IMeetings  of  the  Presby- 
tery were  generally  held  but  little  more  could  be  done 


30 


A     GENERAL     SKETCH 


in  those  four  long  years  than  to  maintain  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  churches.  At  the  Fall  meeting  of  1865  a 
Presbytery  was  sharing  the  desolation  common  in  this 
section.  A  large  number  of  the  young  men  of  the 
churches  were  sleeping  in  soldiers'  graves,  and  the  sur- 
vivors sorely  disheartened. 

But  in  less  than  two  years  the  churches  began  to  re- 
vive. At  the  Fall  meeting  in  1867  the  Presbytery  was 
gratified  by  receiving  under  its  care  four  students  of 
theology.  D.  W.  Reid,  who  had  been  practicing  medi- 
cine for  fifteen  years,  and  three  members  of  the  senior 
class  of  Erskine  in  1861  constituted  that  class  of  students. 
In  a  few  more  years  the  College  and  Seminary  of  the 
Synod  located  in  the  bounds  of  the  Presbytery  resufned 
their  helpful  work.  The  home  mission  work  was  taken 
up  with  increased  vigor,  not  only  so  but  the  new  feature 
of  planting  churches  in  the  towns  and  cities  was  suc- 
cessfully inaugurated.  Up  to  that  time  our  people  had 
been  engaged  in  farming,  and  the  pastors  generally 
owned  farms  and  managed  them  successfully.  The 
Presbytery  also  co-operated  heartily  with  the  other  Pres- 
byteries in  undertaking  work  in  the  foreign  fields.  From 
that  day  the  Presbytery  has  contributed  her  full  quota  of 
men  and  women  to  that  important  feature  of  the  Synod's 
work. 

Such  are  some  of  the  facts  gleaned  from  the  minutes 
of  the  Second  Presbytery  for  an  hundred  years.  These 
were  selected  from  many  others  of  equal,  or,  perhaps, 
greater  importance,  but  the  allotted  space  forbids  their 
record  in  this  place.  At  the  late  meeting  there  were 
twenty-four  names  of  ordained  ministers  on  the  roll  of 
the  Presbytery,  and  two  students  of  theology.  The  num- 
ber of  churches  is  thirty-two  and  the  number  of  commu- 
nicants is  2,378,  and  the  number  of  a  ".cessions  t^iis  year 
is  131. 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH  31 

TENNESSEE  AND  ALABAMA  PRESBYTERY.— 
In  the  year  1836  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  at  Ches- 
ter, S.  C,  passed  the  following  order :  "Moved  and  sec- 
onded that  it  is  expedient  to  form  a  new  Presbytery  in 
the  West,  bounded  as  follows :  Commencing-  on  the  Miss- 
issippi River  at  34  N.  Latitude,  running  east  to  Georgia 
line,  thence  north  to  the  middle  of  the  State  of  Kentucky, 
thence  west  to  the  Mississippi  River,  thence  down  the 
river  to  the  beginning ;  and  that  it  be  called  the  Presbytery 
of  Tennessee." 

This  Presbytery  met  at  Salem,  Tennessee,  April  24th, 
1837,  Rev.  E.  Harris,  the  senior  member,  presiding. 

The  following  roll  was  made :  Ministers,  E.  Harris, 
R.  M.  Galloway,  H.  Bryson. 

Elders :     Thomas  Galloway,  Archibald  Kidd. 

At  this  meeting  Rev.  John  Wilson,  a  probationer,  after 
presenting  a  trial  sermon,  was  ordained  to  the  full  Avork 
of  the  ministry. 

These  four  servants  of  Christ  took  up  the  work  not 
only  of  caring  for  their  home  churches,  but  also  of  sup- 
plying mission  stations  in  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Tennes- 
see, and  Kentucky. 

In  1839  Rev.  R.  M.  McCoy  was  transferred  from  the 
First  Presbytery,  and  supplied  the  church  at  Troy,  Ten- 
nessee. The  same  year  Rev.  S.  S.  Ralston  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  of  Head  Springs,  Cornersville,  and 
Zion,  Tenn. 

In  October,  1840,  one  of  the  original  members  of  the 
Presbytery,  the  Rev.  R.  M.  Galloway,  was  removed  by 
death. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  at  Bethel,  Tennessee, 
in  1843,  the  following  resolution  was  passed :  "Resolved, 
That  it  is  desirable  and  practicable  to  organize  a  new 
Synod  embracing  the  Presbyteries  of  Alabama,  Tennes- 
see, and  Kentucky,  to  be  called  the  Southwestern  Synod." 

In  the  same  year  Rev.  S.  S.  Ralston  accepted  a  call 
to  Mt.  Zion  and  Buffalo,  Mo.     In  1845  Rev.  J.  K.  Boyce 


32 


A     GENERAL    SKETCH 


was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  Hopewell  and  Head 
Springs.  In  the  same  year  Rev.  R.  McCoy  obtained  a 
transfer  to  the  2nd  Synod  of  the  West.  In  1847  Rev.  J. 
P.  Weed  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  church 
at  Troy,  Tenn.  In  1847  Rev.  Henry  Bryson,  who  on 
account  of  ill  health  had  retired  from  the  pastorate,  gave 
over  to  the  care  of  Presbytery  the  Viney  Grove  Academy. 
This  good  man  has  left  his  impress  as  a  great  teacher  as 
well  as  an  able  minister  of  the  Gospel. 

In  1848  Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  Prosperity,  Tennessee. 

In  the  same  year  Rev.  T.  W.  Parkinson  was  licensed. 
Presbytery  gave  Rev.  J.  K.  Boyce  permission  to  demit 
his  charge,  and  gave  appointments  to  J.  M.  Sharp,  H.  T. 
Sloan,  J.  E.  Pressly,  and  T.  W.  Parkinson  to  labor  in 
the  vacancies  till  next  meeting. 

Rev.  T.  W.  Parkinson  was  ordained  and  installed  pas- 
tor of  Bethel,  Zion,  and  Head  Springs  in  1851. 

By  an  act  of  Synod  in  1852  the  Presbytery  was  divided 
forming  the  Memphis  Presbytery  and  the  Tennessee 
Presbytery. 

The  roll  of  the  Tennessee  Presbytery  after  this  division 
was  as  follows : 

Ministers :  Rev.  H.  Bryson,  Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan,  Rev. 
D.  McCaw,  Rev.  T.  W.  Parkinson.  Elders :  Robert 
McCalla,  Jas.  Davis,  Robt.  MontgoHmery. 

Rev.  A.  S.  Montgomery  was  received  as  a  student  of 
divinity  in  1853,  was  licensed  and  ordained  in  1854,  and 
was  installed  pastor  of  Head  Springs  in  1858. 

Rev.  David  McCaw  obtained  a  certificate  and  connected 
with  another  branch  of  the  Church. 

Rev.  John  H.  Bryson  was  ordained  and  installed  pas- 
tor of  Hopewell  in  1854.  The  same  year  Rev.  J.  M. 
Brown  was  ordained.  Rev.  T.  W.  Parkinson  died  Sept. 
6th,  1857. 

From  1861  till  1865  there  were  no  sessions  of  the  Pres- 
bytery on  account  of  Civil  War. 


A    GENERAL    SKETCH  33 

Rev.  A.  S.  Montgomery  withdrew  from  the  Presby- 
tery and  connected  with  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  1866  Rev.  John  H.  Bryson  was  granted  a  certi- 
ficate to  unite  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  South. 

The  Civil  War  caused  a  division  in  Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan's 
charge,  one  part  of  which  formed  a  United  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Rev.  Andrew  INIcElroy  came  to  Head  Springs  in  1866 
as  stated  supply. 

In  1866  Rev.  J.  H.  Peoples  came  to  Hopewell,  and  the 
following  year  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  there. 

J.  L.  Orr  and  J.  Preston  Marion  were  received  as 
students  about  this  time. 

Rev.  C.  S.  Young  came  to  the  Presbytery  and  was  or- 
dained and  installed  pastor  of  Head  Springs  in  1873. 

In  1872  Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan  demitted  his  charge  and 
formed  a  new  pastorate  over  Bethel  and  New  Hope.  In 
1874  Rev.  J.  B.  Muse  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
of  Prosperity  and  Blanche. 

In  1874  Dr.  Henry  Bryson,  who  had  been  retired  for 
several  years  from  active  work,  died,  and  a  memorial 
sketch  of  his  life  was  prepared  by  Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan 
and  published. 

In  1881  Rev.  J.  A.  Myers  came  into  The  Presbytery. 

On  April  21st,  1882,  the  Tennessee  and  Alabama  Pres- 
byteries were  consolidated,  enrolling  five  ministers  in 
Tennessee,  and  two  in  Alabama. 

In  1883  Revs.  J.  B.  Muse  and  C.  S.  Young  removed 
from  the  Presbytery.  The  following  year  Rev.  J.  A. 
Myers,  by  certificate,  removed  to  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  • 

Rev.  O.  Y.  Bonner  came  into  the  Presbytery,  and  was 
installed  pastor  over  Prosperity  and  Blanche  in  1889. 
The  same  year  Rev.  J.  H.  Peoples  was  released  from 
Hopewell.  In  1890  Rev.  H.  M.  Henry  organized  a 
church  at  Camden,  Alabama. 

Rev.  O.  Y.  Bonner  removed  from  the  Presbytery  in 
3 


34  A     GENERAL     SKETCH 

1 89 1,  and  Rev.  W.  B.  Logan  was  received  and  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Hopewell  and  Head  Springs  in  1893. 

In  1893  Rev.  W.  S.  Castles  came  into  the  Presbytery, 
and  was  installed  pastor  of  Bethel  and  New  Hope.  In 
the  same  year  Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan  died,  being  the  oldest 
member  of  the  Presbytery,  after  having  faithfully  and 
fruitfully  served  in  the  same  field  for  nearly  a  half 
century. 

In  1894  Rev.  W.  S.  Castles  demitted  his  charge. 

In  189s  Rev.  I.  N.  Kennedy  came  into  the  Presbytery 
and  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  Elk  Valley 
(New  Hope  and  Bethel  consolidated.) 

At  the  same  time  Rev.  A.  J.  Ranson  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbytery,  and  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  Prosperity  and  Blanche.  The  same  year  Rev. 
J.  M.  White  was  installed  pastor  of  Hopewell  and  Head 
Springs. 

In  1898  Presbytery  was  called  upon  to  lament  the  loss 
by  death  of  one  of  her  noblest  members,  the  Rev.  J.  A. 
Lowry. 

In  1899  Rev.  J.  M.  White  demitted  his  charge.  The 
same  year  Rev.  W.  A.  Blakely  was  installed  pastor 
of  Prosperity  and  Orrville,  Alabama. 

Messrs.  A.  T.  and  E.  P.  Lindsay  were  received  as 
students  of  divinity  in  1900. 

In  1901  Rev.  R.  L.  Robinson  was  installed  pastor  of 
Camden. 

In  1901  Rev.  A.  J.  Ranson  demitted  his  charge,  and 
in  1902  Rev.  J.  B.  Hood  was  installed  pastor  of  Prosper- 
ity and  Blanche. 

The  Presbytery,  at  this  date,  consists  of  five  pastorates 
and  three  vacancies,  with  the  following  roll : 

Ministers  : 

Rev.  H.  M.  Henry,  D.  D.         Rev.  W.  A.  Blakely 
"     J.  H.  Peoples  "    J.  B.  Hood 

"     I.  N.  Kennedy  "     R.  L.  Robinson 


A    GENERAL     SKETCH  35 

THE  TEXAS  PRESBYTERY.— Rev.  A.  J.  Ranson. 
- — Tlie  beginnings  of  our  work  in  Texas  may  be  read  in 
the  history  of  some  famihes  which  came  to  this  State  as 
early  as  1853.  Our  pioneer  missionary  was  the  Rev.  T.  J. 
Bonner,  who  came  in  the  winter  of  1859.  He  preached 
as  opportunity  allowed  for  more  than  fifteen  years.  "At 
the  meeting  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  South,  held  at 
Hopewell,  S.  C,  Sept.  26,  1876,  an  order  was  passed 
allowing  Revs.  T.  J.  Bonner,  W.  L.  Patterson,  and 
J.  M.  Little  to  organize  a  Presbytery,  to  be  known  as  the 
Texas  Presbytery,  and  directing  Rev.  T.  J.  Bonner  to 
lead  in  the  organization."  In  accordance  with  this  order, 
the  brethren  met  at  Harmony  Church,  in  Freestone  Co., 
Texas,  on  the  9th  day  of  Dec,  1876;  and  after  a  sermon 
by  Rev.  T.  J.  Bonner,  from  2  Cor.  10:4  and  5,  organized 
what  was  then  called,  and  has  since  been  known  as  the 
Texas  Presbytery.  The  Rev.  Wm.  L.  Patterson  was  the 
first  clerk  and  the  Rev.  T.  J.  Bonner  the  first  moderator. 
At  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery,  there 
were  three  organized  Associate  Reformed  Churches  in 
the  State,  as  follows :  Richland,  Navarro  Co.,  Sept.  23, 
1876;  Harmony,  Freestone  Co.,  Oct.  14th,  1876;  and  the 
Hardin  Co.  Church,  which  was  organized  in  July,  1875. 

Those  were  the  days  of  small  things  in  our  Texas 
work,  and  indeed  we  may  still  be  in  the  day  of  small 
things,  but  this  Texas  Presbytery  has  many  things  for 
which  to  be  thankful  to  a  kind  and  merciful  God.  It 
required  brave  and  true  men  to  begin  this  work  and  sus- 
tain it  under  the  blessing  of  God  in  the  trying  years  of 
the  past.  The  work  is  not  yet  self-sustaining,  but 
every  part  of  the  Synod's  great  work  has  a  share  of  this 
liberality  of  the  western  section  of  the  Church. 

The  following  servants  of  God  have  given  more  or  less 
of  their  time  to  missionary  work  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Presbytery,  in  the  more  than  25  years  of  its  life.  Rev. 
T.  J.  Bonner,  J.  M.  Little,  Wm.  L.  Patterson, 
H.   R.   McCauley,  R.   E.   Patterson,  W.   H.   Millen,  H. 


36  A    GENERAL    SKETCH 

Rabb,  E.  E.  Patterson,  David  Pressly,  E.  P.  Stewart, 
E.  B.  Anderson,  J.  A.  Myers,  J.  L.  Pressly,  Calvin 
Pressly,  W.  W.  Orr,  L.  I.  Echols,  J.  H.  Simpson, 
T.  W.  Hayes,  J.  R.  McCormick,  A.  J.  Ranson,  and  J. 
R.  Millen.  Others  made  short  missionary  tours  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Presbytery  from  year  to  year. 

At  the  present  writing — May  21,  1903 — the  Presbytery 
is  composed  of  the  following  Churches  and  pastors : 

Hermon,  Greer  Co.,  Oklahoma,  Rev.  J.  R.  Millen ; 
Chicola,  Lamar  Co.,  Rev.  T.  W.  Hayes ;  Corsicana,  Na- 
varro Co.,  Rev.  A.  J.  Ranson ;  Richland  and  Harmony, 
Rev.  J.  R.  McCormick ;  Marlow,  Milan  Co 

Revs.  W.  L.  Patterson,  E.  P.  Stewart  and  Calvin 
Pressly,  having  given  years  of  valuable  services  to  our 
Western  work,  and  being  honored,  still  live  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Presbytery. 

Interesting  facts  are  omitted,  but  the  above  will  re- 
mind the  Church  that  the  Texas  Presbytery  lives,  and 
.moves,  and  has  its  being  by  the  blessing  of  God.  We 
thank  God  for  the  past  and  confidently  face  this  future. 
May  His  blessing  abide  with  us. 

THE  T  AM  PICO  PRESBYTERY.— Republic  of 
Mexico. — The  territory  embraced  in  what  is  known  as 
The  Tampico  Presbytery  is  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico, 
on  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  comprises  a 
portion  of  the  southern  part  of  the  State  of  Tamaulipas, 
of  the  northern  part  of  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  of  the 
eastern  part  of  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi. 

During  the  Synodical  year  of  1885,  Neill  E.  Pressly, 
the  missionary,  was  instructed  by  the  Board  to  organize 
a  Presbytery ;  but  on  account  of  the  territory  covered 
and  the  difficulties  of  travel,  the  organization  was  not 
effected.  At  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  1886  at  Bethany, 
Lee  Co.,  Miss.,  of  which  Rev.  D.  B.  Pressly  was  Mod- 
erator and  Rev.  R.  Lathan,  Clerk,  the  following  minute 
was  adopted :     "On  motion  of  Rev.  Yi.  T.  Sloan,  D.  D., 


A     GENERAL     SKETCH  37 

Rev.  Neill  E.  Pressly  is  directed  to  or.c^anize  a  Presby- 
tery in  Mexico  to  be  known  as  the  Presbytery  of  Tampi- 
co."  In  the  year  1887  the  missionary  translated  and 
pubhshed  in  Spanish  an  edition  of  "The  Book  of  Church 
Government,  Discipline  and  Directory  for  Worship,"  and 
reported  to  the  Synod  through  the  Board  that  he  hopes 
to  organize  before  the  end  of  the  year  the  Presbytery 
of  Tampico,  as  ordered  by  Synod. 

At  the  meeting  of  Synod  that  year,  "Dr.  Ross  moved 
that  the  order  to  organize  a  Presbytery  in  Mexico  be 
continued."  On  the  29th  of  June,  1888,  the  missionary 
Neill  E.  Pressly,  Rev.  Pedro  Trujillo,  Elder  Pablo 
Morato  and  the  licentiates,  Zenong  Zaleta,  Ines  Her- 
nandez and  N.  Arrebalo  assembled  in  the  hired  chapel 
at  Tampico  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Presbytery. 
Neill  E.  Pressly  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting  and 
preached  a  sermon  founded  on  Acts  18:9-11,  and  by 
him  The  Presbytery  of  Tampico  was  constituted  with 
prayer.  Rev.  Pedro  Trujillo  was  asked  to  act  as  clerk 
and  a  roll  of  the  above  mentioned  persons  was  prepared 
and  called.  Rev.  J.  S.  A.  Hunter  of  the  Arkansas  Pres- 
bytery, U.  S.  A.,  having  been  commissioned  to  the  Mex- 
ican field,  as  a  missionary,  was  received  as  a  member, 
and  his  name  enrolled. 

At  the  first  meeting,  Sr.  Ines  Hernandez  was  ordained. 
The  second  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Tampico  was 
held  at  Tampico  and  was  presided  over  by  Rev.  Pedro 
Trujillo,  and  Neill  E.  Pressly  elected  clerk,  wdiich  posi- 
tion he  has  filled  ever  since. 

The  Presbytery  meets  only  once  a  year  in  the  first  part 
of  the  year,  and  is  now  composed  of  four  missionaries, 
six  native  ordained  ministers  and  one  native  licentiate, 
vie,  Neill  E.  Pressly,  Pedro  Trujillo,  J.  S.  A.  Hunter, 
Ines  Hernandez,  J.  R.  Edwards,  Francisco  Mellado 
Meza,  G.  Cruz,  J-  G.  Dale,  S.  S.  Torres,  C.  Cruz  and 
licentiate  Pablo  Morato.  The  Presbytery  has  in  its  ter- 
ritory  seven   church   buildings   and   chapels,   and   school 


38  A    GENERAL     SKETCH 

property  valued  at  about  $33,600.00.  The  collections  the 
past  year  for  various  purposes  amounted  to  $1,078.88. 
There  are  twenty  odd  points  of  preaching,  and  four  day 
schools,  in  which  are  employed  ten  teachers.  The  Pres- 
bytery now  has  a  Home  Mission  Board,  composed  of 
Revs.  F.  Mellado  Meza,  J.  G.  Dale  and  Neill  E.  Pressly, 
the  latter  being  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  Rev.  S.  S. 
Torres  is  the  missionary  supported  by  the  Presbytery 
and  is  located  at  Tantoyuca.  Peace,  harmony  and  a 
Christian  spirit  characterize  the  meetings  of  Presbytery, 
and  hard  work  the  duty  of  each  Presbyter. 

THE  VIRGINIA  PRESBYTERY. —The  Presbytery 
of  Virginia  is  composed  of  the  following  churches :  Old 
Providence,  Augusta  Co.,  Timber  Ridge,  Ebenezer  and 
Broad  Creek,  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.,  and  New  Lebanon, 
Monroe  Co.,  W.  Va.  Ebenezer  congregation  for  many 
years  worshipped  regularly  also  in  Bethel  Church,  and 
was  therefore  called  often  Ebenezer  and  Bethel.  Services 
are  now  very  seldom  held  in  the  latter  church.  These 
five  churches  were  in  connection  with  the  Presbytery  of 
Pennsylvania  from  1782  till  Oct.  22,  1802,  when  they 
were  connected  with  Big  Spring  Presbytery.  This  re- 
lation being  dissolved  at  the  forced  union  in  1822,  the 
residue  of  the  Associate  Reformed  congregations  joined 
the  Associate  Church.  The  Associate  Churches  main- 
tained their  connection  with  the  Associate  Presbytery  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  were.  May  i,  1800,  transferred  to 
Chartiers  Presbytery.  In  Aug.,  1803,  however,  they  were 
a  part  of  the  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas,  and  here  they 
remained  till  April  16,  1844,  when  they  became  a  part  of 
the  First  Presbytery. 

The  Virginia  Presbytery  was  organized  at  Ebenezer, 
May    8,    1854,    the    following    members    being   present: 

Rev.  Horatio  Thr)mpson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  I.  G.  McLaughlin, 
Rev.  W.  M.  McElwee. 

Student,  A.  B.  Beanier. 


A     GENERAL    SKETCH  39 

Elders,  Hugh  Brownlee,  Michael  Beamer,  John 
McKerny. 

Dr.  Thompson  preached  the  opening  sermon  from 
John  4 :  38,  "Other  men  labored  and  ye  are  entered  into 
their  labors." 

The  following  persons  have  served  the  Presbytery  as 
stated  Clerks  for  longer  or  shorter  periods  of  time : 

Calvin  Harper,  James  H.  Callison,  James  G.  Dixon, 
James   S.   Callison,   William   B.   Douglass,   and   Charles 

D.  McCormick,  who  is  at  present  clerk.  Owing  to  the 
fact  that  "Book  A"  containing  the  minutes  of  this 'Pres- 
bytery is  lost,  the  dates  of  the  election  and  resignation 
of  all  these  servants  of  the  Church  are  not  obtainable. 
When  Calvin  Harper  was  elected  to,  and  when  he  re- 
signed the  office,  is  unknown.  Nor  is  it  known  when 
James  H.  Callison  was  elected  clerk,  but  the  last  work 
he  did  in  this  capacity  was  done  at  Timber  Ridge,  Sept, 
14  and  15,  1888.  He  died  March  10,  1898,  just  a  month 
before  the  Spring  Meeting  of  the  Presbytery.  On  Sa- 
turday, April  10,  1798,  James  G.  Dixon  was  elected 
clerk  at  Broad  Creek,  and  resigned  Oct.  13,  1822.  James 
S.  Callison  was  elected  to  this  office  April  15,  1893,  at 
New  Lebanon,  and  resigned  Oct.  3,  1896.  William  B. 
Douglass  was  elected  at  Broad  Creek  Oct.  14,  1898,  and 
resigned  April  19th,  1902.  Charles  D.  McCormick  was 
elected  at  Broad  Creek  April  19,  1902,  and  still  fills  the 
place. 

The  following  ministers  have  been  in  connection  with 
the  Presbytery  as  pastors :  Horatio  Thompson,  D.  D., 
W.  M.  McElwee,  D.  D.,  I.  G.  McLaughlin,  J.  H.  Simp- 
son,  S.  W.  Haddon,  R.   M.   Stevenson,  J.  H.   Moflfatt, 

E.  F.  Griffith  and  D.  P.  Neill.  The  following  brethren 
have  labored  in  its  bounds  as  supplies,  some  of  whom 
were  members  of  the  Presbytery  and  some  not :  J.  R. 
McCormick,  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco,  W.  A.  Wilson,  W.  M. 
Hunter,  E.  B.  Anderson,  H.  R.  McAulay,  E.  E.  Pressly, 


40 


A    GENERAL    SKETCH 


J.  P.  Knox,  T.  W.  Sloan,  O.  Y.  Bonner,  W.  S.  Castles, 
J.  W.  McCain  and  W.  E.  Anderson. 

The  following  persons,  born  and  reared  in  this  Pres- 
bytery, have  studied  theology  and  been  licensed  to  preach 
the  Gospel :  A.  B.  Beamer  of  New  Lebanon,  J.  A. 
Thompson  of  Timber  Ridge,  Lewis  Hickman  of  Ebene- 
zer,  J.  R.  McCormick  and  C.  D.  McCormick  of  Old 
Providence. 

Solomon  says,  "Whoso  findeth  a  wife  findeth  a  good 
thing,  and  obtaineth  favor  of  the  Lord."  The  following 
ministers  have  obtained  this  favor  in  the  churches  of 
this  Presbytery :  Horatio  Thompson,  D.  D.,  W.  M. 
McElwee,  D.  D.,  Monroe  Gates,  J.  L.  Hemphill,  E.  F. 
Griffith,  J.  C.  Galloway,  D.  D.,  J.  M.  Todd,  D.  D.,  J.  R. 
McCormick,  J.  B.  Hood,  J.  M.  Garrison,  R.  C.  Davidson, 
and  D.  P.  Neill. 

Our  limited  space  forbids  us  to  speak  of  the  encour- 
agements and  the  discouragements  of  the  work  of  the 
Lord  in  the  Presbytery.  The  interest  in  and  the  con- 
tributions to  Home  and  Foreign  Missions  have  been 
good.  The  women,  the  young  people  and  even  the  chil- 
dren have  contributed  to  it.  May  the  Lord  prosper  his 
work  more  and  more. 


PART  II. 

SKETCHES  OF  MINISTERS. 


Adair,  IVilliaiii. — Was  born  in  Co.  Antrim,  Ireland; 
educated  and  licensed  in  Scotland  by  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  and  preached  in  his  native  land  with  encour- 
aging prospects  and  acceptance.  The  United  Irishmen 
raised  the  standard  of  independence  about  1798.  Con- 
fined to  Countys  Down  and  Antrim,  it  was  soon  sup- 
pressed. The  subject  of  this  sketch  becoming  unex- 
pectedly involved  in  this  struggle,  betook  himself  to  their 
ranks  for  safety.  He  was  very  much  exposed  and  made 
his  escape  by  means  of  a  swift  horse.  A  price  was  set 
on  his  head.  He  concealed  himself  in  a  vessel  bound 
for  America,  though  there  were  cards  on  board,  offer- 
ing a  reward  for  him. 

This  exiled  Irishman  and  licentiate  was  received  by 
the  A.  R.  P.  Presbytery  of  Big  Spring  Nov.  15th,  1804. 
After  laboring  a  few  years  in  Pennsylvania  and  Virgina, 
he  was  ordained  by  said  Presbytery  April  7,  1807,  and  at 
that  time  received  a  call  which  was  accepted,  to  Old 
Providence,  Augusta  Co.,  Va.,  and  The  Sinks,  Monroe 
Co.,  near  West  \'a.  Released  from  Old  Providence 
because  of  100  miles,  six  large  rivers  and  three  high 
mountains  over  one  of  which  there  was  no  regular 
road  intervening  between  his  churches,  he  gave  the  re- 
maining half  time  to  Sinking  Creek  and  Antonies  Creek, 
Greenbrier  Co.,  W.  Va.  Mr.  Adair  continued  to  supply 
these  churches  till  Nov.  22,  1813.  The  Sinks  Church, 
New  Lebanon,  petitioned  Presbytery  to  be  released  irom 
their    relation    to    him.      By    his    own    request    the    Big 


42  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

Spring  Presbytery,  May  25th,  1814,  permitted  him  to 
cease  from  discharging  the  functions  of  the  Gospel  min- 
istry. The  impression  lingers  in  Monroe  that  he  was 
silenced  for  error  or  immoral  conduct.  Had  this  been 
true  the  records  of  our  early  fathers  in  dealing  with 
others  show  they  would  have  prosecuted  to  the  bitter 
end.  Ceasing  to  be  edifying  largely  through  intem- 
perate hate  of  the  British  and  intruding  it  into  pulpit  and 
church  yard  a  change  was  thought  necessary  for  the 
good  of  the  congregation. 

He  married  Miss  Ellen  Davis  of  Greenbrier  Co.,  W. 
Va.,  and  they  lived  near  Pickaway  and  were  regular 
worshippers  at  New  Lebanon. 

His  ministerial  life  far  from  being  in  vain  might  have 
been  more  useful  and  edifying  had  he  given  himself 
wholly  to  it.  Surrounded  here  by  grand  opportunities 
nothing  but  the  gravest  reasons  could  justify  turning 
away  from  the  ministry. 

Mrs.  Ellen  Adair  died  Dec.  8th,  1848,  in  the  89th  year 
of  her  age.  Three  days  later,  Dec.  nth,  Rev.  William 
Adair  died  in  his  90th  year.  They  were  hurried  in  the 
same  grave  and  a  common  marble  slab  marks  the  place. 
"They  were  lovely  and  pleasant  in  their  lives  and  in  their 
::i^^^  death    they    were    not    di- 

vided." 

Agiiczv,      Samiiei      An- 

; ;  dreiv,  D.  D. — Was  the  son 

i  of   Enoch   Agnew,   M.   D., 

and  Letitia  Simpson  Todd, 

and    was    born    November 

22,  1833,  in  Abbeville  Co., 

S.  C,  near  Due  West.  He 

attended     school     in     Due 

West  from  a  child.     Later 

he  entered  Erskine  College 

and  graduated  in  his   19th 

s.  A.  AGNEW,  D.  D.  year,  August   II,   1852. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  43 

He  united  with  the  Due  West  church  when  quite 
young.  In  1852  he  removed  with  his  father's  family 
into  the  bounds  of  Bethany,  Miss.,  congregation  and 
there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  hfe.  He  was  received 
as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  Memphis  Presbytery  in 
1853,  and  took  his  course  in  theology  at  Due  West,  S.  C. 
He  also  studied  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  J.  L.  Young, 
Sr.  pastor  of  Bethany.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Mem- 
phis Presbytery  at  Troy,  Tenn.,  April  26,  1856,  and  by 
this  Presbytery  he  was  ordained  April  23,  1859.  He 
spent  one  year  as  a  missionary  in  Madison  Co.,  Miss., 
and  for  awhile  taught  in  Guntown,  Miss.  In  1858,  he 
began  to  supply  Hopewell,  Union  Co.,  Miss.,  which  con- 
tinued until  1870,  when,  the  congregation  having  ex- 
tended a  call,  he  was  installed  as  pastor  July  23,  1870. 
Previous  to  this  time  he  was  installed  as  pastor  over 
Bethany,  Lee  Co.,  Aliss.,  July  31,  1868.  This  pastorate 
continued  until  his  death,  July  15,  1902.  The  Hope- 
well branch  of  his  pastoral  charge  was  demitted  April 
21,  1899,  Dr.  Agnew  assigning  as  the  reason  that  "he 
had  reached  a  period  of  life  when  it  would  not  be  pru- 
dent for  him  to  continue  the  work  longer."  Thus  for 
44  years,  32  of  which  he  was  pastor,  he  broke  the  Bread 
of  Life  to  the  people  of  Hopewell,  and  for  about  35 
years  he  ministered  to  Bethany.  It  is  not  strange  that 
one  sees  the  fruit  of  this  long  ministry  in  the  lives 
of  those  who  compare  the  membership  of  these  congrega- 
tions. For  a  number  of  years  he  preached  regularly  at 
Guntown,  for  the  benefit  of  some  of  the  aged  of  his  con- 
gregation who  could  not  attend  Bethany,  Also  he 
preached  5th  Sabbaths  at  a  school  house  5  miles  west  of 
his  home. 

Mr.  Agnew  received  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity  from  his  Alma  Mater. 

Dr.  Agnew  was  a  careful,  methodical  sermonizer,  and 
made  much  use  of  his  MSS.  His  mind  was  well  trained 
by  wide  and  varied  reading  and  research.      His  library 


44 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


was  perhaps  one  of  the  largest  private  Hbraries  in  the 
Synod.  His  sermons  were  plain,  practical,  thoughtful 
and  helpful.  Though  not  possessed  of  a  good  delivery, 
his  preaching  was  earnest,  impressive,  edifying  and 
comforting. 

In  his  latter  days  he  manifested  quite  a  fondness  for 
family  history,  and  gathered  a  select  library  on  this  sub- 
ject. As  a  historian  he  was  accurate  and  faithful,  and 
perhaps  his  account  of  the  "Battle  of  Brice's  Cross 
Roads  or  Tishomingo  Creek,"  is  the  best  available.  For 
30  odd  years  he  kept  a  diary  of  current  events. 

Dr.  Agnew  was  a  man  of  sterling  integrity  of  charac- 
ter, of  positive  convictions  and  absolute  loyalty  to  truth 
and  right.  He  was  respected  by  friend  and  foe,  a  man 
mighty  in  the  Scriptures. 

Death  found  him  "in  the  harness."  Saturday  night 
was  spent  at  Kinsman's  on  his  way  to  preach  at  Gun- 
town  the  following  day,  but  he  was  taken  seriously  sick 
during  the  night  and  on  the  following  Tuesday  afternoon 
his  spirit  was  released  from  its  tenement  of  clay.  He 
died  July   15,   1902. 

Dr.  Agnew  was  first  married  to  Nannie  E.  McKell, 
of  Oktibbehah  Co-,  Miss.,  and  a  daughter  of  David  and 
E.  J.  McKell.  Two  children  were  born  to  them,  both 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Agnew  died  July  24, 
1868. 

He  was  married  the  second  tijme  to  Rachel  Janie 
Peoples,  Jan.  21,  1875.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  Brown 
and  Rebecca  M.  Peoples.  Nine  children  were  born 
to  them,  two  of  whom  died  in  early  childhood.  Of 
the  remaining  four  are  sons  and  three  arc  daughters. 

Anderson,  Abraham,  D.  D. — Abraham  and  Elizabeth 
(Chestnut)  Anderson  rejoiced  Dec.  7,  I7()8,  at  the  birth 
of  a  child.  His  martial  spirit  led  him  to  follow  Gen. 
Harrison's  career  in  the  war  of  1812.  Leaving  the  mus- 
ket, he  took  up  the  college  cap  and  gown  and  graduated 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


45 


at  Jefferson,  1817.  Spending  one  year  with  Dr.  John 
Anderson,  he  served  the  next  three  years  as  Prof,  of 
Languages  in  his  aima  mater,  where  he  finished  his  di- 
vinity, as  also  a  course  of  medicine.  Chartiers  Presby- 
tery granted  him  hcense  Aug.  29th,  182 1.  He  declined  a 
call  to  New  Lebanon,  West  Va.,  in  1822.  The  Presby- 
tery of  the  Carolinas  ordained  and  installed  him  over 
Steele  Creek  and  Bethany  (Back  Creek),  Mecklenburg 
Co.,  N.  C,  Oct.  3rd,  1822.  For  about  ten  years  he  served 
most  ably  and  acceptably  this  charge  and  then  became 
pastor  of  West  Hebron,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  1833- 
1847,  and  then  Prof,  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology 
in  the  seminary  of  his  denomination,  Canonsburg,  Pa., 
till  his  death  May  9th,  1855.  He  laid  many  and  varied 
gifts  on  the  altar  of  the  Master. 


Anderson  J  Elbert  Bry- 
son. — Was  born  of  Scotch- 
Irish  godly  parents,  Feb. 
I2th,  1863,  in  Laurens  Co., 
S.  C.  His  father  was  an 
industrious,  judicious  man 
and  a  ruling  elder.  His 
mother  was  a  Bryson,  re- 
lated to  the  family  of  that 
name  which  Dr.  Henry 
Bryson  so  honored.  Early 
in  childhood  he  became  in- 
terested in  books  and 
school,  carrying  a  New 
Testament  in  his  pocket 
and  reading  it  through  several  times  in  a  year.  At  16 
he  began  the  struggle  alone  for  an  education.  By  alter- 
nately teaching  and  going  to  school,  his  preparation  for 
College  was  made  at  Reidsville  High  School,  Spartan- 
burg, S.  C,  and  the  Freshman  class  at  Erskine  College 
was  entered  Oct.,  1885.     A  full  four  years'  A.  B.  course 


E.     1!.     ANUEKSON. 


46  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

was  taken  and  he  graduated  with  honor  in  a  class  of  13 
in   1889. 

Giving  his  heart  to  Christ  in  his  mother's  Church  "at 
twelve,  30  miles  awa)^"  with  an  early  desire  to  preach  the 
glorious  Gospel,  it  is  no  wonder  that  two  years  of  the 
three  then  required  in  the  seminary  were  taken  during  his 
literary  course.  His  divinity  course  being  completed  in 
June,  1890,  his  licensure  having  been  previously  given 
him  by  the  Second  Presbytery  Sept.  14th,  1889.  Labor- 
ing for  some  time  in  the  Memphis  and  Texas  Presby- 
teries he  was  by  the  latter  ordained  Nov.  30,  1890.  In 
Nov.  1 89 1  he  began  stated  labor  at  Amity  and  Elk 
Shoals,  Iredell  and  Alexander  Cos.,  N.  C,  respectively, 
and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  latter  Nov.  17,  1892,  and 
of  the  former  next  day.  His  first  year  here  was  devoted 
in  part  to  the  Hiddenite  Mission.  This  charge  was  re- 
turned to  Presbytery  x^pril  5,  1898. 

After  resting  a  few  months  in  the  home  of  his  ■mother 
the  Board  of  Home  Missions  sent  him  to  Broad  Creek, 
Va.,  in  Sept.,  1898.  There  he  remained  as  Stated  Sup- 
ply till  Nov.  I,  1902. 

As  a  student  he  was  painstaking,  a  great  reader,  being 
careful  to  keep  himself  posted.  , 

As  a  pastor  he  was  reasonably  blessed  in  the  fields 
where  he  labored — more  so  than  many  with  twice  the 
physical  strength.  The  ease  and  tact  with  which  he 
could  approach  a  wayward,  worldly  sinner  might  well  be 
coveted. 

As  a  presbyter  he  was  watchful,  ready  in  debate,  well 
versed  in  parliamentary  law  and  the  judicial  acts  of  his 
Church.  His  genial  manner,  his  general  information 
made  him  an  agreeable  companion.  Facing  difficulties 
and  discouragements  frotn  the  very  beginning  of  his  ed- 
ucation, and  the  prosecution  of  his  ministry  not  being 
without  its  trials  the  master  has  been  pleased  to  give  him 
tests  to  his  call  and  souls  for  his  hire.  If  reward  is 
measured  by  trials  overcome  then  great  will  be  his. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


47 


William  Edgar  Ander- 
son.— Is  a  son  of  Elbert 
Dickson  Anderson  and 
Sarah  .Vnn  Brj'^son,  and 
was  born  near  Reidsville, 
S.  C,  June  14,  1872.  He 
was  educated  at  Erskine 
College  and  Erskine  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  gradu- 
ing  from  the  former  June, 
i8(»,  and  from  the  latter 
June,  1902.  Was  received 
as  a  student  of  theology 
by  2nd  Presbyter}'  at  Iva, 
S.  C,  April,  1901,  and  li- 
censed by  the  same  Presbytery  at  Wrens,  Ga.,  April, 
1902.  He  is  now  laboring  at  Broad  Creek  church  in 
Virginia.  He  joined  the  church  at  W'oodrufif,  S.  C, 
Oct.  18,  1891. 


W.    E.    ANDERSON. 


Baird,  James  Warden. — 
Son  of  Cornelius  Baird  and 
Elizabeth  McDaniel  (Boyd) 
McQuiston,  was  born  in 
Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  Sep- 
tember 3,  1867.  His  father 
was  a  native  of  County 
Antrim,  Ireland,  and  came 
to  America  at  an  early  age 
with  his  father's  family, 
and  settled  near  Corn- 
well's  Turnout,  in  Chester 
Co.,  S.  C,  in  the  bounds 
of  Hopewell  A.  R.  church, 
and  thence  removed  to 
Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.  where  he  died.  His  mother  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent,  born  in   Chester  Co.,   S.   C.      She 


J.    W.    B.MRD. 


48  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

was  married  to  Hugh  M.  McQuiston,  of  Tipton  Co., 
Tenn.,  who  died,  leaving  four  sons,  three  of  whom  sur- 
vive. She  was  afterwards  married  to  CorneHus  Baird, 
James  W.  being  the  only  child  of  this  union. 

James  was  given  such  educational  advantages  as  the 
country  schools  afforded,  and  entered  the  sophomore 
class  in  Erskine  College  in  1885,  graduating  from  that 
institute  in  June  of  1888.  He  joined  Salem  A.  R. 
Church  about  his  sixteenth  year,  transferring  his  mem- 
bership to  Due  West,  S.  C,  when  he  entered  college.  He 
entered  Erskine  Theological  Seminary  in  October,  1888, 
but  on  account  of  his  father's  death  in  March  of  1889, 
was  called  home  and  during  the  spring  and  summer  pros- 
ecuted his  studies,  by  order  of  Presbytery,  under  Rev. 
J.  H.  Strong,  returning  to  the  Seminary  in  the  fall.  On 
May  3,  1889,  he  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by 
the  Memphis  Presbytery,  at  Rives,  Tenn.,  and  was  li- 
censed by  the  same  Presbytery  at  a  called  meeting  at 
Salem,  Tenn.,  July  6,  1890.  He  labored  chiefly  in  the 
Memphis  Presbytery  during  the  next  two  years — at  Re- 
hoboth,  Shiloh,  Mt.  Carmel,  Beulah  and  Rives,  spending 
a  few  weeks  each  at  Starkville,  Miss.,  and  Prosperity  and 
Blanche,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.  In  the  fall  of  1892,  he  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  Ebenezer,  Tippah  Co.,  Miss., 
and  was  ordained  and  installed  there  by  a  called  meeting 
of  Presbytery,  Dec.  3,  1892.  In  1902  the  Synod  ap- 
pointed him  to  the  work  of  establishing  a  church  in 
Covington,  Tenn.  He  gave  up  the  pastorate  of  Ebene- 
zer where  he  had  labored  faithfully  and  acceptably  for  a 
period  of  10  years,  and  entered  upon  the  work  in  Coving- 
ton, Jan.  I,  1903.  He  was  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of 
1902,  which  met  at  Pisgah,  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C,  and  was 
appointed  by  Synod  a  member  of  Committee  on  Me- 
morial Volume,  in  place  of  Rev.  S.  A.  Agnew,  D.  D., 
deceased.  He  was  for  10  years  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Mem- 
phis Presbytery. 

Mr.  Baird  was  married,  June  4,  1891,  at  Due  West, 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  49 

S.  C,  to  Miss  Anna  Maria  Brice,  daughter  of  the  Rev. 
R.  W.  Brice  and  Anna  M.  Steele.  She  was  born  in  the 
bounds  of  Hopewell,  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  January  31, 
1864.  Of  the  six  children  born  to  them,  three  daugh- 
ters and  two  sons  survive. 

Baldridge,  IVilliani. — Son  of  Alexander  and  Jenny 
(Ramsey)  Baldridge,  was  born  in  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa., 
Feb.  26th,  1761.  In  1764  his  father  moved  to  Lincoln 
Co.,  N.  C,  within  the  bounds  of  Gilead  church,  A.  R. 
So  patriotic,  when  the  Revolutionary  war  broke  out,  his 
youth  preventing  his  enlisting,  he  served  first  as  a  team- 
ster and  then  to  the  end  of  the  war  in  a  cavalry  company. 

Preparing  for  college  under  Rev.  Robert  Findley  he 
graduated  with  honors  at  Dickinson,  1790.  His  divinity 
course  was  pursued  under  Rev.  Alexander  Dobbin  of 
Gettysburg,  Pa.  A  part  of  his  course  being  taken  under 
Dr.  Nesbit,  President  of  Dickinson,  license  was  granted 
him  by  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  May  2^, 
1792.  This  same  court  admitted  him  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  united  congregations  of  James  River  and 
Battetant  in  Virginia.  The  Associate  Reformed  Synod 
met  May  29th,  1797,  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  he  was 
honored  with  the  moderatorship.  He  served  these 
churches  as  pastor  for  ten  years. 

Many  of  his  families  having  gone  to  Ohio  this  charge 
was  demitted  Oct.  19th,  1803,  but  he  remained  stated 
supply  of  Forks  of  the  James  in  connection  with  Timber 
Ridge  till  June,  1809,  when  with  a  caravan  of  his  people 
he  removed  to  Ohio  and  became  pastor  of  Cherry  Fork 
and  West  Fork,  Adams  Co.  He  was  twice  offered  the 
Presidency  of  Washington  College,  Lexington,  Va.,  now 
W.  &  L.  University,  possibly  between  Sept.  1796  and  Oct. 
1799.  This  high  honor  was  declined  because  the  scarcity 
of  ministers  would  not  warrant  his  withdrawal  from  ac- 
tive pastoral  work.  His  death  occurred  of  "dropsy  of 
the  chest,"  Oct.  26th.   1830, 


50 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


He  was  twice  married.  Miss  Rebecca  Agnew  born 
Oct.  13th,  1771,  near  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  became  his  first 
wife  July  17,  1792.  Her  death  occurred  Oct.  26th,  1817 
at  the  birth  of  her  thirteenth  child.  Mrs.  Mary  (Logan) 
Anderson,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  May  22,  1782,  became 
his  second  wife.  Her  death  occurred  at  Spring  Hill, 
Ind.,  Sept.  15,  1870. 

As  to  personal  appearance,  a  man  of  commanding 
physique,  in  height  over  six  feet  and  one  inch  and  a 
frame  well  rounded  and  imposing.  As  to  manners  and 
study,  sedate  without  austerity,  a  close  and  regular  stu- 
dent he  was  methodical  and  impressive  in  matter  and 
manner,  well  acquainted  with  the  human  side  of  life  and 
the  divine  workings  of  the  spirit  in  the  regeneration  of 
the  soul.  Painstaking  and  faithful  also  in  pastoral  visi- 
tation he  was  successful  and  beloved. 

Banks,  Joseph. — Son  of  Dr.  John  Banks,  was  born 
in  Florida,  N.  Y.,  July  2'^,  1806;  was  graduated  at  Uni- 
versity of  Pa.  at  the  early  age  of  17.  His  course  of 
divinity  was  under  his  father  in  Philadelphia  and  the 
Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  granted  him  licensure  Oct. 
I,  1828.  This  youthful  recruit  succeeded  the  old  vet- 
eran. Rev.  Wm.  Dixon.  A  call  was  made  by  the  wide 
parish  in  four  Counties  and  two  States  March  20,  1830, 
viz. :  Nob  Creek,  Cleveland  Co.,  and  Pisgah,  Gaston  Co., 
N.  C. ;  Bethany,  York  Co.,  and  Sardis,  Union  Co.,  S.  C. 
That  he  might  be  more  useful  and  awaiting  his  decision 
to  enter  into  the  pastoral  relation,  his  early  ordination  was 
delayed  by  sickness  till  Oct.  15th,  1831.  He  retired  from 
the  field  in  the  early  fall  of  1833,  served  as  pastor  in 
Ohio,  and  as  Chaplain  of  the  Western  Penitentiary  of 
Pa.,  was  his  church's  pioneer  missionary  to  Trinidad  for 
eight  years,  beginning  in  1843.  Died  at  Mercer,  Pa., 
April  8th,   1859,  of  consumption. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


51 


Beamer,  Augustus  Baleiitiiie. — Born  ^\ug.  26th,  1826. 
in  Monroe  Co.,  West  Va. ;  prepared  for  college  by  Rev. 
I.  G.  McLaughlin;  was  graduated  at  Jefferson,  1852; 
spent  a  session  each  at  Allegheny  Seminary,  Pa.,  and 
Erskine,  S.  C,  and  the  Mrginia  Presbytery  licensed 
him  Aug.  25th,  1855.  He  preached  for  some  three  years 
in  the  Virginia  Presbytery  till  disqualified  by  sore  throat 
trouble.  He  spent  many  years  as  a  successful  teacher. 
In  1874,  Sept.  he  was  happily  married  to  Miss  Ro- 
manza  Miller.  She  is  an  industrious,  amiable  and  godly 
woman,  and  cares  for  him  in  his  age  and  helplessness. 
He  retains  connection  with  and  has  deep  interest  in  the 
church  of  his  childhood,  though  thirteen  miles  away,  at 
Zenith,  West  Va. 

His  death  occurred  Jan.  30.  1903. 


Bcli  Robert  Lee.— Was 
born  near  Due  West,  S.  C, 
on  July  6th,  1870.  His 
parent'^  were  Mr.  Francis 
Marion  and  Mrs.  Jane 
(Hawkins)  Bell.  He  was 
educated  in  Due  West, 
graduating  from  Erskine 
College,  June,  1889. 

He  then  taught  school 
two  }'ears  in  Montgomery, 
Ala.,  being  elected  the 
Principal  of  the  Capital 
City  Male  and  Female  In- 
stitute, after  which  he  en- 
tered l£rskine  Theological  Seminary,  completing  the 
course  in  June,  1893;  was  licensed  at  Spring-  meeting  of 
the  2nd  Presbytery  at  King's  Creek,  Newberry  County, 
S.   C,  on   April   12th,    1893. 

He  left  the  Seminary  and  under  direction  of  the  Pres- 
bytery entered  upon  work  at  Hopewell,  Newton  County, 


K.     L.      BELL. 


52 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


Ga.  He  was  later  on  called  and  ordained,  and  installed 
the  pastor  of  Hopewell,  Dec.  8th,  1893. 

He  organized  and  built  a  church  at  Fairview,  Henry 
Co.,  in  1894,  and  remained  the  pastor  of  these  churches 
for  seven  years. 

He  resigned  this  pastorate  and  accepted  a  call  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  McDonough,  Ga.,  being  installed 
by  the  Atlanta  Presbytery  Nov.  19,  1901,  and  has  contin- 
ued to  serve  this  church  up  to  the  present  writing. 

He  married  Oct.  12,  1898,  Miss  Effie  Louise  Dawson, 
the  daughter  of  Mr.  James  B.  and  Mrs  Eliza  (Alex- 
ander) Dawson,  of  Louisville,  Ga.,  and  two  children 
have  blessed  this  union. 

He  has  been  in  great  demand  as  an  evangelist,  preach- 
ing the  Gospel  in  its  purity  as  once  delivered  to  the 
saints. 

Betts,  Charles  Bozven, 
D.  Z).— Rev.  C.  B.  Betts, 
D.  D.,  was  born  at  Char- 
lotte, Dickson  Co,  Tenn., 
Nov.  I2th,  1828,  and  is  the 
son  of  William  Betts  and 
Eliza  Bowen.  He  was 
prepared  for  College  at 
Viny  Grove  Acadejiiy,  in 
Tenn.,  and  graduated  at 
Jefferson  College,  Penn., 
in  1851.  In  Oct.,  1851, 
he  was  received  as  a  stu- 
dent   of    theology    by    the 

C.    B.    BETTS.    D.    D.  ,     -rt         ,  ta 

Second  Presbytery  at  Due 
West,  S.  C,  and  received  his  theological  training  in  Er- 
skine  Seminary,  being  licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery 
in  Oct.,  1853.  Li  May,  1855,  he  was  ordained  at  Winns- 
boro,  S.  C,  and  installed  pastor  over  Winnsboro  and  the 
Brick  Church  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C.     Here  he  remained 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  53 

until  Nov.,  1869.  when  he  was  sent  to  the  Mission  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  by  the  Synod.  He  resigned  his  charge 
of  Winnsboro  and  Brick  Church,  but  remained  at  Nash- 
ville only  one  year,  accepting  a  call  in  Dec,  1870,  from 
the  united  charge  of  Union,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  and 
Neely's  Creek,  York  Co.,  S.  C.  In  1889,  he  gave  up  the 
Neely's  Creek  branch  of  his  charge,  and  has  remained 
pastor  of  Union  continuously  ever  since. 

Mr.    Betts    has    been    twice    married.    First    to    Miss 
Atmarinth  H.  Sharpe,  daughter  of  Clement  Sharpe  and 
Esther  Hawthorn,  of  Due  West,  S.  C,  who  bore  him  six 
children,   dying   in    Nov.,    1870.      The   second   marriage 
was  to  Miss  Flora  M.  Burns,  of  Chester  Co..  S.  C,  who 
was  born  Dec.    19th,   1846,  and  who  is  still  living  and 
the  mother  of  six  children.     During  the  war  between  the 
States,  Mr.  Betts  was  chaplain  of  the  6th  Reg.  S.  C.  V., 
until  its  reorganization  at  Summerville,  S.  C,  and  after 
that  he  was  Chaplain  of  the  12th  S.  C.  V.  and  went  with 
them  to  Virginia.     While  serving  as  chaplain  of  the  6th 
Reg.  S.  C.  v.,  Mr.  Betts  had  a  thrilling  experience  that 
nearly  cost  him  his  life.     With  three  companions,  Wm. 
Creight  of  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  and  Hassie  and  Russell  of 
Charleston,  he  visited  a  part  of  the  regiment  stationed 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Stono  River,  near  Charleston,  S.  C. 
At  6  P.  M.  they  started  to  return  to  their  quarters  and 
very    shortly    afterwards    their    boat    capsized,    and    for 
three  hours  they  clung  to  the  upturned  boat  in  the  water. 
They  were  at  last  rescued  by  some  negroes  in  a  boat. 
Mr.  Betts  was  unconscious  when  rescued  and  remained 
so  until  12  o'clock.     He  has  always  looked  upon  it  as  a 
special  interposition  of  providence,  and  is  grateful  that 
God  spared  him  to  a  long  life  of  usefulness  and  service. 
Mr.  Betts  received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from 
Erskine  College  a  few  years  ago. 

He  has  been  elected  moderator  of  the  Synod,  and  will 
have  the  honor  of  presiding  over  its  Centemiial  Session 
at  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  in  Nov.,  1903.     He  died  Dec,  1903. 


54 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


J.     M.    BIGHAM. 


.Bighain,  John  Mills. — 
Rev.  John  Mills  Bigham 
is  the  son  of  James  White 
Bigham  and  Mary  Isa- 
bella Mills,  and  was  born 
at  Wellridge,  Chester  Co., 
S.  C,  May  17th,  1875.  He 
received  his  primary  edu- 
cation under  his  mother  in 
the  home  until  he  was 
fourteen  years  old,  then 
attended  the  public  schools 
until  he  entered  Erskine 
College  in  1893,  graduat- 
ing in  1896.  He  joined 
the  church  at  Hopewell,  S.  C,  1897,  was  received  as  a 
student  of  Theology  by  the  First  Presbytery,  at  Hickory 
Grove,  S.  C,  in  the  fall  of  1897,  and  pursued  his  studies 
in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary.  He  was  licensed  by 
the  First  Presbytery  at  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  1899.  After 
supplying  churches  in  Alexander  Co.,  N.  C,  and  at  White 
Oak,  Ga.,  he  was  called  to  Huntersville  and  Gilead  in 
Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  and  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  these  churches  Nov.  27th,  1900,  and  is  still 
serving  them.  Under  his  leadership  the  church  at  Hun- 
tersville has  erected  a  new  and  beautiful  house  of  wor- 
ship. 

Birnbach,  C.  R. — Rev.  C.  R.  Birnbach  was  born  and 
raised  in  Germany.  He  joined  the  First  Presbytery,  by 
certificate  from  the  United  Presbyterian  Presbytery  of 
Sidney,  Ohio,  at  Gilead,  in  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C, 
April,  1886,  and  preached  in  various  churches  in  North 
and  South  Carolina  for  a  year.  On  April  4th.  1887,  Mr. 
Birnbach  was  dismissed  by  letter  to  the  Bethel  Presby- 
tery of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church,  and  after 
preaching  in  that  church  for  a  short  while,  returned  to 
the  North. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  55 

Black,  John  Victor.— Son  of  Elihu  Black  and  Harriet 
Shaw,  was  born  April  20,  1871,  at  Frankfort,  Ind.  He 
received  his  collegiate  training  at  Monmouth  College  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  He  joined  the  church 
at  Austin,  Texas,  in  1883,  and  was  received  by  the  Sec- 
ond Presbytery  as  a  student  of  theology  at  Mount  Car- 
mel,  S.  C,  Nov.,  1894.  He  attended  the  Erskine  Theo- 
logical Seminary  and  was  licensed  by  the  Second  Pres- 
bytery at  Ebenezer,  Ga.,  in  the  spring  of  1896.  Having 
accepted  a  call  from  Generostee  and  the  Grove  in  An- 
derson Co.,  S.  C,  he  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
by  Drs.  W.  M.  Grier  and  W.  L.  Pressly,  commission  of 
2nd.  Presbytery,  in  the  spring  of  1897.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  the  spring  of  1897,  in  Newberry,  S.  C,  to  Miss 
Lizzie  Allen  Blackburn,  daughter  of  James  and  Mollie 
Blackburn.  To  them  one  child  has  been  born.  Gener- 
ostee and  the  Grove  have  developed  during  his  pastorate. 

Mr.  Black  is  a  man  of  fine  presence  in  the  pulpit,  an 
impressive  speaker,  and  an  earnest  worker  and  pastor. 

Blacksfock,  William. — Born  at  Ballynahinch,  Ireland; 
educated  in  Scotland;  licensed  by  the  Associate  Presby- 
tery of  Down  and  supplied  for  some  time  the  Associate 
congregation  of  Ballynahinch.  Embarking  on  the  "Irish 
Volunteer"  on  the  25th  of  Sept.,  1792,  he  landed  in 
Charleston,  S.  C,  a  Christmas  gift  to  the  A.  R.  church. 
"Rev.  B.  preached  once,  the  captain  paying  strict  atten- 
tion, but  not  the  crew."  He  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  Steele  Creek,  Ebenezer  and  Neely's  Creek,  all  in 
York  Co.,  S.  C,  June  8th.  1794,  by  the  Presbytery  of  the 
Carolinas  and  Georgia.  Having  labored  faithfully  in  this 
triple  charge  for  ten  years,  the  following  unhappy  divis- 
ion in  Steele  Creek  and  Neely's  Creek  induced  a  change. 

Revs.  Peter  IMclNIullan  and  William  Dixon  became 
dissatified  with  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  principally  because 
of  just  discipline  inflicted  on  the  former.  They  declined 
their   authority   and   joined   the   Associate    Presbyterian 


56  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

Church  and  were  subsequently  with  Rev.  John  Cree  of 
Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.,  organized  into  the  Associate  Pres- 
bytery of  the  CaroHnas  Aug.  31,  1803,  at  Steele  Creek, 
N.  C.  As  before  said  two  of  his  congregations  were 
thereby  rent  by  schism,  one  part  singing  David's  Psalms 
and  the  other  the  Psalms  of  David. 

About  1804  he  became  pastor-elect,  but  for  some  rea- 
son not  installed,  of  New  Perth,  Old  Sterling,  and  Rocky 
Springs.  Here  his  wife  died,  April  26th,  18 10,  aged  45. 
Her  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Hutchison.  Removing  to 
Tirzah,  Union  Co.,  N.  C,  about  181 1  he  became  pas- 
tor as  also  of  Ebenezer,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  which  latter  he 
demitted  July  12th,  1815,  as  also  Neelys  Creek,  1814, 
which  pastorate  he  had  assumed  some  time  before.  His 
influence  was  now  great  and  his  activity  untiring. 
A  punctual  and  influential  member  of  church  courts  he 
was  called  to  the  Moderatorship  of  Synod  1805,  1812, 
April  8,  1812,  Nov.  18  and  1825,  as  also  in  1809  a  dele- 
gate to  the  General  Synod.  It  was  customary  to  appoint 
yearly  a  missionary  West.  For  14  weeks  in  1821  he 
made  such  a  journey.  It  is  probable  in  a  second  such 
journey  1827  he  preached  the  first  sermon  ever  delivered 
in  Obion  Co.,  Tenn,.  under  a  large  beech  hard  by  the 
Troy  A.  R.  P.  Church.  Possibly  he  felt  partially  re- 
warded when  the  next  Synod  thanked  him  "for  unwear- 
ied and  persevering  exertions."  His  pastoral  relation 
with  Tirzah  was  dissolved  early  in  1827.  This  faithful 
and  laborious  minister  did  much  pioneer  work  in  the 
bounds  of  the  First  Presbytery.  His  memory  is  em- 
balmed in  the  hearts  of  a  grateful  people.  The  Master 
gave  him  the  distinguished  honor  and  to  us  the  blessing 
of  thirty-nine  years  faithful,  loyal,  untiring  service. 
Many  must  be  the  stars  in  his  crown  of  rejoicing.  His 
coronation  day  was  Oct.,  1831,  and  his  remains  were  in- 
terred at  Tirzah,  where  for  so  many  years  he  had 
preached  the  Gospel. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  57 

Blakcly,  Rev.  Hunter  Bryson.— The  congregation  of 
Bethel,  now  Ora,  S.  C,  has  given  to  the  church  a  num- 
ber of  useful  ministers ;  among  these  Liro.  H.  C.  Blakely 
occupies  a  prominent  place.  He  is  the  son  of  Tudy 
Blakely  and  :\Iargaret  Bryson,  and  was  born  near  Ora, 
Laurens  Co.,  S.  C,  January  6th,  1863.  He  attended  tli£ 
common  school  of  his  neighborhood  and  was  from  a  boy 
a  diligent  student.  Brought  up  under  the  ministry  of 
Rev.  D.  F.  Haddon,  he  joined  the  church  in  childhood. 
Entering  Erskine  College  as  a  Freshman,  he  graduated 
in  Tune,  1883,  with  the  first  honors  of  his  class.  He  was 
especially  distinguished  for  his  proficiency  in  Mathemat- 
ics. He  taught  school  one  year  after  graduation  and 
then  entered  the  Seminary  at  Due  West  in  the  fall  of 
1884.  The  sessions  at  that  time  consisted  of  three  terms 
of  seven  months.  He  graduated  from  Seminary  in  May, 
1887.  He  became  a  member  of  Presbytery  at  Doraville, 
Ga.,  in  April,  1885  ;  was  licensed  at  Bethel,  Laurens  Co., 
S.  C.  in  April,  1886 ;  spent  some  time  in  Tennessee,  Lin- 
coln Co.,  during  the  following  summer.  Was  called  as 
pastor  to  New  Hope.  S.  C,  and  was  there  ordained  and 
installed,  October  19.  1887. 

He  remained  here  three  years,  but  the  congregation  al- 
tho'  growing  in  liberality  and  in  grace  during  his  minis- 
try, was  much  weakened  by  removals.  He  accepted  a 
call  to  Lancaster,  Gill's  Creek  and  Unity— and  labored 
in  that  field  for  four  years.  He  was  sent  by  the  Board 
of  Home  Missions  to  Atlanta,  Ga.,  in  September,  1894, 
and  labored  faithfully  and  successfully  in  that  field  for 
seven  years.  Was  called  to  Troy,  S.  C,  in  December, 
1901,  where  he  is  now  pastor,  the  church  there  having 
taken  on  new  life  since  his  work  began. 

Bro.  Blakely  is  a  most  successful  pastor  and  an  earn- 
est, scriptural  preacher. 

He  was  married  November  3rd.  1892,  to  ^Tiss  Susan 
M.  Marshall,  daughter  of  John  T.  and  Sallie  Thorn  Mar- 
shall, of  Millersburgh,  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.  They  have 
four  children  living  and  one  dead. 


58 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


W.     A.     BLAKELY. 


Blakcly,  IVarren  An- 
drcxv.—Son  of  Milton 
Blakely  and  Elizabeth 
Jane  Thompson,  was  born 
January  3,  1874,  near 
Clinton,  Laurens  Co.,  S. 
C.  His  educational  oppor- 
tunities were  good,  being 
prepared  for  college  in  the 
ordinary  public  schools, 
and  graduating  from  Er- 
skine  College  in  June, 
1895.  He  joined  Bethel 
A.  R.  church  when  but  10 
or  II  years  of  age,  entered 
Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  Oct.,  1896,  and  was  re- 
ceived as  Student  of  Theology  by  the  Second  Presbytery 
at  Bethlehem,  S.  C,  in  the  spring  of  1897.  He  was  li- 
censed to  preach  at  Generostee,  S.  C.  April  19.  1898.  the 
Rev.  E.  P.  McClintock  acting  for  Rev.  J.  S.  Mills,  Mod- 
erator. Was  ordained  by  a  commission  of  the  Second 
Presbytery  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  Dec.  i,  1898,  Rev.  W.  M. 
Grier,  D.  D.,  Moderator,  and  Rev.  O.  Y.  Bonner,  Clerk. 
He  labored  at  Doraville,  Ga.,  and  Prosperity  and  Or- 
ville,  Ala.  In  the  fall  of  1899  he  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate of  Prosperity  and  Orrville,  and  was  installed  over 
the  former  Dec.  3,  1899,  and  over  the  latter  May  21,  1900. 
The  Rev.  H.  M.  Henry  officiated  on  both  occasions. 

Mr.  Blakely  was  left  an  orphan  when  eight  years  of 
age  and  was  taken  into  the  home  of  his  grandmother, 
Mrs.  E.  A.  Thompson. 


BoiDicr,  John  I.- — Was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ala., 
in  1823,  but  spent  most  of  his  early  years  in  Wilcox 
County  of  that  same  State. 

In  1837,  his  father  removed  to  Indiana,  and  living  not 
far  from  Oxford,  Ohio,  the  seat  of  Miami  University, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


59 


^m  «4 


REV.     J.     I.     BOXNER,     D.     D. 


was  in  the  position  to  give  his 
son  the  advantages  of  an  excel- 
lent education.  During  the 
years  1843,  1844,  and  1845,  he 
studied  theology  in  the  Semi- 
nary at  Due  West,  S.  C,  under 
Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  and 
was  licensed  by  the  Second 
Presbytery  at  Long  Cane,  S.  C, 
Oct.  6,  1845. 

Although  not  the  pastor  of  a 
church,  he  very  frequently  went 
out  on  preaching  tours,  occupy- 
ing vacant  pulpits  and  assisting 
on  sacramental  occasions.  About 
Due  West  and  over  the  adjoining  counties  of  Abbeville, 
Laurens,  Anderson,  and  Newberry,  his  name  was  al- 
most as  familiar  as  household  words.  He  took  an  ac- 
tive part  in  committees,  in  Boards,  in  church  courts,  in 
literary  and  educational  labors,  all  of  which  brought  upon 
him  many  cares  and  responsibilities. 

He  began  his  editorial  experience  with  the  Erskine 
Miscellany  in  1851.  Then  with  the  Telescope,  and  last- 
ly with  the  A.  R.  Presbyterian. .  In  the  management  of 
this  paper  he  displayed  tact,  energy,  and  perseverence. 
He  had  great  facility  in  the  use  of  the  pen,  using  lang- 
uage terse,  vigorous,  and  idiomatic,  and  sometimes  in 
the  heat  of  controversy,  sarcastic  and  trenchant. 

Dr.  Bonner  did  many  things  and  did  them  well,  he 
served  the  Church  efficiently  in  various  offices,  but  per- 
haps his  life  work,  that  which  enlisted  his  best  efforts 
and  called  forth  his  fullest  energy  was  teaching.  In 
1859  he  was  chosen  President  of  Due  West  Female  Col- 
lege, and  it  is  mainly  to  him  that  this  Institution  owes 
the  high  rank  it  now  holds.  He  lived  and  worked  for 
it  with  all  the  energy  of  his  nature.  From  the  date  of  its 
organization  until  his  death  he  was  its  only  President. 


6o  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

He  possessed  to  an  unusual  degree  eminent  qualifica- 
tions for  his  work  as  College  President.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  sagacity  and  practical  sense.  His  foresight  was 
almost  prophetic.  One  of  the  most  salient  points  of  his 
character  was  his  great  force  of  will  which  in  large  mea- 
sure made  him  what  he  was.  It  was  essential  in  the  po- 
sition he  held  and  during  the  times  in  which  he  filled  it. 
It  was  his  unconquerable  resolution  that  infused  hope  and 
courage  in  others.  Again  he  possessed  great  ad)iiinis- 
trative  tact,  a  quick  perception  of  the  individualities  of 
his  pupils  and  a  readiness  in  adapting  his  instructions 
to  fit  their  peculiar  needs.  But  above  all  these  qualifi- 
cations for  his  calling,  Dr.  Bonner  possessed  the 
great  and  essential  one  of  love  for  his  work.  His 
whole  heart  was  in  it.  He  sought  with  fervent 
zeal  to  make  the  Institution  over  which  he  presided, 
one  of  the  best  in  the  land,  and  surely  this  In- 
stitution is  his  best  monument  in  that  it  tells  what 
he  was  and  what  he  was  capable  of  achieving.  As 
College  President,  editor,  and  member  of  Presbytery 
and  Synod,  he  wielded  an  extensive  and  powerful  in- 
fluence. It  is  difificult  to  say  in  which  of  these  three  ca- 
pacities he  wielded  the  most  influence,  but  it  may  be  said 
that  being  of  a  public  spirit  and  fully  abreast  of  the  age, 
he  was  on  the  lookout  for  all  legitimate  measures  by 
which  to  put  the  Church  on  high  vantage  ground. 

Dr.  Bonner  was  married  three  times ;  to  Miss  N.  M. 
Baldridge  of  Indiana,  who  lived  but  a  short  time ;  to 
Miss  L.  A.  Lindsay,  of  Due  West,  daughter  of  James 
Lindsay,  and  sister  of  Rev.  J.  O.  Lindsay,  D.  D. ;  and  to 
Miss  A.  L.  Morse,  of  New  York.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  left  a  widow  and  seven  children,  four  sons  and 
three  daughters. 

He  died  at  his  residence  in  the  Female  College,  Due 
West,  S.  C,  April  29.  1881,  in  the  fifty-ninth  (59th) 
vear  of  his  age. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


6i 


REV.    O.    Y.    BONNER. 


Boiuter,  Rev.  Oliver  Young. 
■ — Youngest  son  of  Rev.  J.  I. 
Bonner,  D.  D.,  and  Mrs.  A.  L, 
iionner,  was  born  in  Due  West, 
S.  C,  November  15,  1863.  His 
early  educational  advantages 
were  excellent,  and  at  the  age 
of  twenty  years  he  was  gradu- 
ated from  Erskine  College.  Af- 
ter his  graduation  from  Erskine 
College,  he  entered  Erskine 
Theological  Seminary,  and  af- 
ter two  year  spent  in  that  in- 
stitution, he  entered  Union 
Seminary,  N.  Y.,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1887.  After  his  graduation  from  Union 
Seminary,  he  preached  six  months  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Virginia  Presbytery,  six  months  in  Kentucky,  and  six 
months  in  the  Tennessee  and  Alabama  Presbytery.  In 
1888,  he  was  called  to  the  joint  pastorate  of  Prosperity 
and  Blanche.  Tenn.  Accepting  the  call,  he  was  installed 
the  same  year,  and  remained  there  until  May,  1891.  In 
June,  1 89 1,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  Due  West  A.  R.  P. 
church,  a  relation  existing  at  the  present  time  (1904). 
Under  his  ministry,  the  church  has  grown  in  strength  and 
in  every  good  work. 

In  addition  to  his  pastoral  duties,  Mr.  Bonner  is 
junior  editor  of  the  A.  R.  Presbyterian,  a  position  he 
has  held  since  the  death  of  Dr.  W.  M.  Grier  in  1899. 

After  the  death  of  Rev.  C.  E.  Todd,  Synod  commis- 
sioned  Mr.  Bonner  to  prosecute  the  collection  of  the 
Twentieth  Century  Fund.  He  entered  into  this  work 
with  zeal  and  energy,  and  met  with  much  success.  At 
the  meeting  of  Synod  at  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  in  1903, 
he  was,  at  his  own  request,  released  from  this  work. 

Mr.  Bonner  has  always  been  deeply  interested  in  mis- 
sions, and  is  considered  an  authority  on  almost  every 
phase  of  foreign  mission  work. 


62 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


In  1892  Mr.  Bonner  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Belle  H.  Neel,  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  D.  Neel.  of  Troy,  S. 
C,  and  to  them  two  children  were  born.  Mrs.  Bonner 
died  in  1901. 

On  June  30,  1903,  Mr.  Bonner  was  married  to  Miss 
Jennie  Edwards,  daughter  of  Dr.  E.  H.  Edwards  of  Due 
West,  and  for  many  years  the  talented  and  successful 
teacher  of  vocal  music  at  the  Due  West  Female  College. 


Bonner,  Rev.  Thomas  Joel. — Was  born  in  Monroe  Co., 
Ala.,  Dec.  23,  182 1.  His  father,  William  Bonner,  had 
moved  from  Cedar  Springs,  in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C. ;  af- 
terward located  in  Wilcox  Co.,  Ala.,  and  later  in  Free- 
stone Co.,  Texas.  Thomas 
spent  his  early  years  on 
the  farm.  He  attended 
Miami  University  a  while, 
but  graduated  from  Er- 
skine  College  in  1843.  The 
same  year  he  married  Miss 
Amanda  Posey,  of  Abbe- 
ville Co.,  S.  C.  His  theo- 
logical studies  were  prose- 
cvited  under  Rev.  Joseph 
McCreary  one  year,  and  in 
Erskine  Theological  Sem- 
inary. 

He  was  licensed  by  the 
Alabama  Presbytery  in  1846.  For  a  number  of  years  he 
was  S.  S.  for  a  vacancy  in  Lowndes  Co.  and  occasionally 
visited  vacancies  in  Georgia  and  Mississippi.  At  the  so- 
licitation of  friends  and  kindred,  he  moved  to  Freestone 
Co.,  Texas,  in  1859. 

Some  time  before  this  he  was  ordained  sine  titudo  by 
the  Alabama  Presbytery.  He  preached  regularly  in  this 
new  field,  always  loyally  maintaining  the  ])rinci]:)les  of 
the   church    of   his   choice.      For   perhaps    15    years,    he 


T.    T-    BONNER. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  63 

never  saw  the  face  or  heard  the  voice  of  an  Associate 
Reformed  minister,  yet  always  had  a  Hvely  interest  in 
the  enterprises  of  Synod.  About  the  year  1865  he  or- 
ganized a  Psalm  singing  church  at  County  Line  school 
house,  near  the  line  between  Freestone  and  Navarro 
counties.  This  church  was  temporarily  placed  under 
the  care  of  a  presbytery  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  U.  S.  The  congregations  of  Harmony,  Richland  and 
Ebenczer  come  out  of  this  organization.  In  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Presbytery  of  Texas,  at  Plarmony  Church, 
Dec.  9,  1876,  Rev.  T.  J.  Bonner  presided  and  preached 
the  opening  sermon.  He,  with  Revs.  J.  M.  Little  and 
W.  L.  Patterson  composed  the  Presbytery.  Failing 
health  compelled  him  to  retire  from  the  active  work  of 
the  ministry  about  the  year  '79.  He  died  June  13,  1895, 
at  the  hohie  of  his  son,  W.  B.  Bonner  in  Wortham, 
Texas.     He  left  a  widow  and  six  children. 

Borroivs,  James. — Born  in  Washington  Co.,  Pa.,  March 
3,  1821,  was  graduated  at  Muskingum,  1847,  ^^^  took 
his  divinity  course  at  Allegheny.  The  Second  Ohio 
gave  him  license  April  10,  1850,  and  ordination  Oct.  27, 
1852.  After  serving  as  pastor  in  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania, 
he  came  with  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  into  the  A.  R.  P. 
Synod  of  the  South  Sept.  19th,  1867,  as  pastor  of  Eben- 
ezer,  Crawford  Co.,  Pa.  He  was  installed  pastor  of 
Hartstown,  same  county,  April,  1868,  and  Sugar  Grove, 
Mercer  Co.,  Pa.,  1870.  Returned  with  his  congregations 
to  the  U.  P.  Church  May  30th,  1881,  and  the  Ohio  Pres- 
bytery was  dissolved.   He  died  of  paralysis  May  13,  1886. 

Bothwell,  David. — Was  born  in  1749.  in  Monaghan, 
Ireland.  His  parents  were  David  and  Margaret  Both- 
well.  He  had  good  educational  advantages  and  was 
graduated  from  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  perhaps  in 
1786.  He  studied  theology  at  Haddington  imder  John 
Brown  and  was  a  member  of  the  last  class  tauo-ht  bv  that 


64  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

eminent  divine.  He  joined  the  church  at  Belen  Albany. 
He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Monaghan  at  Monaghan  in  1787.  He  was  li- 
censed by  the  same  Presbytery  at  Belen  Albany,  1789. 
He  was  sent  immediately  to  labor  in  Georgia,  and  on  his 
arrival  supplied  the  churches  in  Jefferson  and  Burke 
Counties.     He  landed  at  Charleston,  Jan.  ist,  1790. 

He  was  perhaps  installed  as  pastor  of  Bethel  and  Eb- 
enezer  Churches,  but  preached  at  other  points,  and  no 
doubt  made  long  missionary  tours.  On  Oct.  19th,  1789, 
at  Monaghan  he  married  Miss  Jane  Wright.  Her  pa- 
rents were  John  and  Mary  Lowther  Wright.  She  was 
born  at  Monaghan  Jan.  24th,  1773.  David  Bothwell 
left  four  sons ;  his  widow  married  Rev.  John  Renwick 
and  left  a  number  of  children,  one  of  whom,  Mrs.  Henry, 
still  lives  at  Due  West.  Mrs.  Bothwell,  afterwards  Mrs. 
Renwick,  died  Dec.  12th,  1849.  David  Bothwell  was 
for  ten  years  a  prominent  figure  in  the  history  of  the 
A.  R.  Church,  and  was  a  preacher  of  great  power.  He 
was  called  upon  to  preach  before  the  legislature  of 
Georgia  during  the  Yazoo  excitement.  He  died  in  the 
midst  of  his  usefulness  June  30th,  1801. 

Boycc,  Ehenezer  Er- 
skUic,  D.  D. — Of  the  many 
distinguished  ministers 

Sardis,  N.  C,  has  pro- 
duced, none  are  more  con- 
secrated, useful  and  lov- 
able. He  was  of  distin- 
guished and  pious  ances- 
try. Mrs. '  Margaret  Har- 
per gave  birth  to  two  sons 
in  Ireland  who,  emigrat- 
ing to  Philadelphia,  es- 
tablished the  "Harper 
Bros."    Publishing    House. 

E.    E.    BOYCE,    D.    D.  -n  i  i    ' 

By    her    second    marriage 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  65 

Margaret  Morehead  was  born.  This  daughter  and 
James  Boyce,  grandfather  of  above,  marrying  in  Ireland 
and  emigrating  to  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  brought  her 
mother,  whose  remains  lie  in  Providence  cemetery.  Mrs. 
Margaret  Morehead  "had  some  illustrious  descendants, 
among  whom  was  Wm.  H.  Morehead,  Governor  of  N. 
C.  and  a  very  nvimerous  generation  descending  through 
her  daughter  Prudence  Smith.  The  youngest  son  of 
Samuel  Boyce  and  his  wife  Deborah  Black,  born  in 
Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  Dec.  12,  1820,  bore  both  a  scrip- 
ture and  a  Scottish  name — Ebenezer  Erskine. 

His  preparation  for  college  began  in  1837,  under  Dr. 
R.  C.  Grier  at  Union  Academy.  In  1842  he  entered  Jef- 
ferson College,  Pa.,  a  horseback  ride  of  two  weeks,  grad- 
uating in  1844.  After  a  full  course  in  Erskine  Semi- 
nary, he  became  a  probationer  of  the  First  Presbytery, 
Nov.  II,  1846.  That  winter  was  spent  at  Ebenezer, 
Rockbridge  Co.,  Ya..  The  next  spring  and  summer  in 
Kentucky,  the  Synodical  year^  '47-'48,  in  West  Tenn- 
essee. Some  time  during  this  year  he  preached  the  first 
sermon  where  Richland  church  now  stands,  under  a 
large  poplar  tree.  His  ordination  and  installation  took 
place  over  the  united  congregations  of  Bethany,  York 
Co.,  S.  C,  and  Pisgah,  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C,  June  28,  1849. 

Then  and  there  began  possibly  the  most  successful 
pastorate  in  Synod.  Pisgah  was  divided  in  1856  and 
Nebo  in  Cleveland  Co.  organized.  Nebo  was  divided 
into  King's  Mountain,  now  Boyce  ^Memorial,  and  Bethel. 
Gastonia,  Crowder's  Creek,  Clover  and  Bessemer,  all 
fair  daughters,  sprang  up.  The  two  original  have  grown 
to  eight  with  pastors,  a  total  membership  (1903)  of  814, 
accessions  //,  contributing  $3,921,  and  church  and  manse 
property  worth  $17,600.  True,  this  is  not  all  the  work 
of  Dr.  Boyce.  But  God  was  pleased  to  use  this  prince 
of  pastors  and  wise  master  builders  to  lay  the  founda- 
tion and  direct  this  remarkable  expansion  in  his  pas- 
torate.     Bethany   was  demitted   Sept.  7.   1885.      On  the 


66  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

25th  Sept.,  1893,  this  laborious  servant,  because  of  age 
and  infirmity  and  as  he  said  "because  he  loved  his  peo- 
ple," demitted  Pisgah  and  Gastonia.  The  words  were 
spoken  and  the  vows  taken,  Aug.  29,  1850,  which  wedded 
him  to  Miss  Margaret  Jane,  daughter  of  John  Simonton, 
of  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C.  Short  was  their  united  life. 
Death  in  her  father's  home,  Oct.  10,  185 1,  sundered  this 
tie.  His  second  wife  was  Miss  Rachel  E.  McElwee,  the 
nuptial  day  being  May  11,  1854.  She  still  survives  and 
is  the  mother  of  all  his  living  children.  He  was  modera- 
tor of  Synod,  1870,  delegate  to  the  United  Presbyterian 
General  Assembly,  Monmouth,  111.,  May,  1874,  and  re- 
ceived D.  D.  froim  Westminster,  Pa.,  1885,  and  from 
Erskine  College  the  same  year.  Suddenly  the  summons 
came  early  Wednesday  morning,  Nov.  5,  1902,  at  Gas- 
tonia, N.  C. 

During  that  day  and  the  next  morning  the  Synod  was 
collecting  in  Gastonia  for  their  meeting  at  Pisgah,  a  few 
miles  distant.  By  unanimous  consent  the  members  at- 
tended and  conducted  his  funeral  in  the  city  at  the  very 
hour  they  should  have  met  in  Synodical  session.  Such 
a  coincidence  has  never  occurred  but  once  before  in  our 
church. 

Rev.  R.  M.  Galloway  died  at  Hopewell,  Maury  Co., 
Tenn.,  Friday,  Oct.  9,  1840,  and  was  buried  by  his  Sy- 
nod, which  met  the  following  Monday. 

A  most  remarkable  servant  of  his  Master,  great  in 
goodness  and  good  in  greatness,  he  was  the  beloved 
disciple. 

His  preaching  was  flash  lights  on  the  text,  striking, 
original,  intensely  interesting  and  helpful. 

His  pastoral  work  was  exemplary,  never  forgetting 
he  was  an  ambassador,  always  mingling  gravity  with 
innocent  gaiety,  and  trying  to  make  every  common  place 
incident  produce  a  spiritual  impression.  He  was  pre- 
emiently  spiritually  minded,  a  peace  maker,  and  a  wise 
counsellor.     His  home  was  a  model.     Grace  and  nature 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


67 


made  this  distinguished  servant  a  Nathaniel  in  guileless- 
ness,  a  John  in  lovehness,  a  iNIoses  in  meekness. 

Boyd,  James  Cisero. — Rev.  James  Cisero  Boyd  was 
born  in  the  bounds  of  Hopewell  Church,  in  Chester  Co., 
S.  C,  Nov.  28th,  1833,  and  was  the  son  of  James  Boyd 
and  Frances  Agnew.  He  was  educated  at  Due  West,  S. 
C,  graduating  from  Erskine  College  in  the  class  of  1855. 
In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  was  taken  under  the  care 
of  the  First  Presbytery  as  a  student  of  theology  at  Sar- 
dis,  N.  C,  and  after  spending  two  years  in  the  Seminary 
at  Due  West,  S.  C,  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery 

at  Coddle  Creek  in  the  fall 
Z''  \  of  1857. 

In  the  spring  of  1858,  he 
was  by  the  Second  Presby- 
tery ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  Head  Springs, 
Cannon's  Creek,  and  Pros- 
perity, in  Newberry  Co.,  S. 
C.  For  thirty-two  years 
Air.  Boyd  was  pastor  of 
these  churches  and  left  his 
impress  on  the  people  of 
^  these   churches,   and   did   a 

noble    work    among    them. 
J-  *■  '"'^■'•-  In     1890,     Mr.     Boyd    re- 

signed the  charge  that  he  had  so  long  served  and  went  to 
Iredell  Co.,  N.  C,  where  he  was  soon  installed  over  the 
congregation  of  New  Stirling.  Here  he  remained  pastor 
for  ten  years,  resigning  because  of  ill  health  in  1900.  Af- 
ter long  years  of  faithful  service  in  the  Master's  vine- 
yard, this  servant  of  the  Lord  passed  to  his  reward 
March  29th,  1902.  and  is  buried  at  New  Stirling.  Mr. 
Boyd  was  married  three  times.  In  Aug.,  1857,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  J.  Pressly,  daughter  of  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly,  D. 
D..  of  Due  ^^Vst.  S.  C,  who  soon  died,  leaving  him  one 


68 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


daughter.  His  second  marriage  was  in  May,  1861,  to 
Miss  Margaret  F.  McClintock,  of  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C, 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  McCHntock,  by  whom  he 
had  seven  chiklren.      She  died  June  19th,   1880. 

On  Dec.  I2th,  1881,  Mr.  Boyd  married  Miss  Lavinia 
Pressly,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mary  Barron  Pressly, 
who  survives  him.  He  served  his  generation  by  the  will 
of  God,  and  fell  on  sleep,  and  his  works  do  follow  him. 


Boyce,  James. — Was  born  in  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C,  Jan. 
25th,  i860.  His  father  was  Rev.  E.  E.  Boyce  and  his 
mother  Miss  Rachel  E.  McElwee.  He  had  good  educa- 
tional opportunities  in  his 
early  youth.  When  13 
years  of  age,  he  spent 
some  time  at  Elk  Shoals 
Academy.  The  influence 
of  the  teachers,  especially 
Rev.  W.  B.  Pressly,  the 
principal,  was  very  great, 
and  has  been  a  blessing 
and  great  factor  in  the 
formation  of  his  character. 
He  graduated  from  Er- 
skine  College  in  1878.  Dur- 
ing the  three  years  spent 
in  college,  he  lived  with 
his  uncle,  Dr.  James  Boyce,  and  enjoyed  the  best  of  op- 
portunities for  development  of  character. 

He  joined  the  church,  under  the  pastorate  of  his 
father,  at  Bethany,  York  Co.,  S.  C.  He  was  received 
as  a  student  of  Theology,  Sept  26th,  1879,  by  the  First 
Presbytery  at  a  called  meeting  at  Union,  S.  C.  He  re- 
ceived his  theological  training  at  Erskine  Theoloo-ical 
Seminary,  Due  West,  S.  C.  He  was  licensed  by  the 
First  Presbytery  at  Shiloh,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  Sept.  7, 
t88i.   Dr.   Lathan   ofiiciating.      He  was  ordained  by  the 


JAMES     BOYCE. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


69 


Kentucky  Presbytery  at  liiiikston,  Dec.  16,  1882.  For 
one  year  after  licensure  he  assisted  his  father,  who  at  that 
time  had  charge  of  Pisgah,  Bethany,  Kings  Mt.  and 
other  congregations.  The  Synod  of  1882  appointed  him 
to  work  in  Louisville,  Ky.  He  was  twice  invited  to  re- 
turn to  Bethany.  He  was  called  as  pastor  of  7th  and 
Chestnut  Street  Church,  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1884,  and 
was  installed  Oct.  3rd.  The  church  prospered  under  his 
ministry.  He  demitted  this  charge  in  October,  1896,  to 
accept  a  call  to  Huntersville,  N.  C.  He  was  installed 
there  Feb.  ist,  1897.  He  demitted  this  charge  April  ist, 
1899,  to  accept  the  Presidency  of  Due  West  Female  Col- 
lege. Oct.  17th,  1883,  at  Headcjuarters,  Nicholas  Co., 
Ky.,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie  Isabella  Thompson, 
a  daughter  of  Robert  Alexander  Thompson  and  his  wife, 
Elizabeth  Jane  Fleming.  Mrs.  Boyce  was  born  at  Head- 
quarters, Ky.,  Nov.  23rd,  1859.  They  have  four  chil- 
dren. Rev.  James  Boyce  has  been  stated  clerk  of  Synod 
since  1890  and  assistant  clerk  of  ist  Presbytery  since 
1897.  For  ten  years  he  has  been  editor  of  the  Youth's 
Department  of  the  "A.  R.  P."  He  has  a  fine  physique 
and  is  the  most  handsome  man  in  the  Svnod. 


im  "m^. 


J.XMES     BOYCE,     I).     I). 


Boyce,  James,  Rev.,  D. 
D. — Son  of  Samuel  Boyce 
an  1  Deborah  Black  was 
born  in  Sardis,  Mecklen- 
burg Co.,  N.  C.  July  13, 
1808.  The  name,  Boyce, 
has  generally  been  re- 
garded as  Scotch-Irish, 
but  there  are  some  reasons 
for  believing  the  family  to 
be  of  Huguenot  origin. — 
"Either  theory  points  to 
an  illustrious  descent,  a 
noble  ancestry,  worthy  of 
the  name." 


70 


SKETCHES    OE    MINISTERS. 


In  his  "Autobiography/'  Dr.  Boyce  says  that  when,  at 
the  age  of  twelve  years,  he  expressed  a  desire  for  a 
classical  education,  his  father  agreed  to  pay  his  expenses 
up  to  the  end  of  his  collegiate  course,  but  no  more,  no 
farther,  and  fulfilled  his  word  to  the  letter. 

At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  became  a  pupil  at  Sugar 
Creek  Academy,  near  Charlotte,  conducted  by  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Caldwell.  He  remained  here  one  year,  receiving  his 
initiation  into  the  "absurd  mysteries"  of  the  Latin  Gram- 
mar, and  was  then  removed  to  Ebenezer  Academy,  in 
York  District,  S.  C,  under  Rev.  Eleazer  Harris,  where 
he  remained  two  years.  In  August,  1827,  he  set  out 
for  Jefferson  College,  Canonsburg,  Pa.,  riding  the  entire 
distance,  600  miles,  on  horseback,  the  horse  being  a  gift 
to  him  from  his  uncle,  John  Black.  He  entered  the 
junior  class  and  was  graduated  in  two  years  in  a  class  of 
thirty-three,  returning  South  in  October,  1829.  At  the 
age  of  twelve  years  he  had  been  received  as  a  member 
of  the  church  at  Sardis,  N.  C,  and  immediately  after  his 
graduation  he  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  un- 
der the  care  of  the  First  Presbytery  at  Hopewell,  S.  C, 
and  under  the  instruction  of  Rev.  Isaac  Grier.  In  Nov., 
183 1,  his  trial  for  licensure  having  been  considered  sat- 
isfactory, he  was  licensed,  "in  a  little  old  house  down 
among  the  elms,"  the  home  of  Dr.  John  Hemphill,  dur- 
ing the  meeting  of  Presbytery  at  Hopewell.  Later  on  in 
the  same  year  he  was  ordained  and  installed  over  the 
Brick  Church  and  New  Hope,  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C.  In 
1843,  the  Brick  Church  becoming  weakened  by  emigra- 
tion to  the  West,  he  withdrew  from  that  part  of  his 
charge  and  gave  the  whole  of  his  time  to  New  Hope, 
until  1869,  when,  leaving  as  he  says  "a  tried  for  an 
untried  situation,"  he  exchanged  his  pastorate,  his  com- 
fortable home,  desirable  neighborhood,  and  a  reliable 
congregation,  for  a  Theological  professorship  in  the 
Seminary  at  Due  West.  Here  he  taught  until  his  death 
eighteen  years  later. 


SKETCHES    OF    MI'NISTERS.  71 

Dr.  Boyce  was  marr.ed  twice,  ffis  first  wife  was 
Mary  Ann  Bell,  daughter  of  Charles  Bell  Esq.  of  L  t- 
tle  River.  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C.  -\t  her  death,  nt  1847,  he 
ft  four  ehildren.  On  Jan.  i,  .850.  he  marr.ed  Martha 
H  Witherspoon.  widow  of  Rev.  John  Waherspoon  and 
daughter  of  Rev.  Isaac  Grier  and  Isabella  Hams  Gr.er. 
To  them  two  children  were  born. 

In  184^  Dr.  Boyce  took  charge  of  the  Chnstian  Mag- 
azine of  the  South,  a  monthly  publication  gotten  up  by 
Synod  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  church. 

The  publication  of  this  magazine  was  kept  up  fornme 
years,  being  discontinued  at  the  end  of  .851.  Dr  Boy" 
says  he  came  out  of  his  journahst.c  venture  with  fly 
ing  colors"  financially,  having  made  $300.00  m  nme 
years!  He  was  also  associate  editor  of  the  A.  R.  Pres- 
byterian for  a  number  of  years. 

In  1854  the  degree  of  D.  D.  was  conferred  upon  h.m 
by  Erskine  College,  and  on  the  same  day  of  the  recap 
of  this  news  he  was  notified  that  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  Jefferson  College,  Penn.,  had  conferred  upon  hmi  the 

same  title.  .  ■,    ^       ^^^A 

Dr  Boyce  was  fond  of  sight-seeing  and  traveled 
much,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  having  a  keen  eye  and 
Teing  a  close  observer  of  men  and  things.  His  letters 
were  highly  instructive  and  fascinating.  He  had  a  heart 
of  tenderness  and  love,  with  a  great  sympathy  with  the 
afflicted  and  bereaved. 

The  subject  of  union  with  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  of  America  was  ever  near  his  heart.  He  longed 
for  it.  labored  and  prayed  for  it;  but  his  eyes  were  not 
permitted   to  behold   it. 

Dr.  Bovce  died  July  29,  1889,  aged  81  years,  and  his 
body  was' laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Due  West,  S.  C. 

Boyce,  John  Kirkpatrick.-^^s  a  son  of  John  Boyce 
and  Isabella  Kirkpatrick,  and  was  born  m  the  btate  ot 
North  Carolina,  June  15.  181 5-     He  was  married  Nov. 


72 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS. 


25,  1845,  to  Martha  Bowen,  a  daughter  of  Rease  Bowen, 
and  SalHe  Strong.  She  was  born  Nov.  15,  182 1,  and 
died  Feb.  14,  1899.  Eight  children  were  born  to  them, 
and  all,  perhaps,  are  dead  except  two  sons,  William  C, 
of  Covington,  Tenn.,  and  Rease,  now  residing  in  State 
of  Missouri. 

A  part  of  Mr.  Boyce's  ministerial  labor  was  spent  in 
middle  Tennessee,  where  he  was  pastor  of  Hopewell  and 
Head  Springs,  being  installed  April  18,  1845.  How 
long  this  pastorate  continued  is  not  stated,  nor  in  what 
other  fields  he  labored.  But  we  know  that  he  came  to 
Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  and  preached  occasionally  in  the 
churches  in  West  Tennessee.  He  lived  on  a  farm  a  few 
miles  south  of  Covington,  and  there  he  died.  He  is 
buried  in  Salem  cemetery,  and  there  are  buried  his  wife 
and  deceased  children. 

Boysc,  John. — Was  born  in  Ireland,  1757;  came  to 
this  country  before  the  Revolution,  and  settled  with  his 
father  in  Long  Cane,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C.  He  was 
graduated  at  Dickinson  College,  Pa.,  1787.  Taking 
one  course  here,  he  finished  with  Rev  Matthew  Lind,  of 
Greencastle,  Pa.  Very  soon  after  his  licensure  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  in  the  autumn  of  1788,  he 
was  sent  as  stated  supply  to  Hopewell,  S.  C,  Coddle 
Creek,  Gilead  and  Prosperity,  N.  C.  He  was  by  the 
same  presbytery  ordained  July  i,  1789,  his  installation 
this  charge  occurring  later.  Catholic  and  Hopewell, 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  were  his  stations  in  that  State.  He, 
together  with  Dr.  Thomas  Clark,  had  prayed  and  la- 
bored for  the  organization  of  a  Presbytery  in  the  South. 

His  work  was  blessed  especially  at  Hopewell.  It  took 
two  days  in  May,  1792,  to  examine  candidates  for  mem- 
bership. He  boarded  with  and  died  at  the  home  of  David 
McQuiston  on  Little  River  in  the  bounds  of  New  Hope 
congregation,  to  whose  daughter,  Margaret,  tradition 
says  he  was  engaged.     She  soothed  his  dying  pillow  and 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  73 

herself  departing  this  Hfe  early  afterward,  her  remains 
lie  near  his  in  Hopewell  cemetery.  His  decease  was  on 
March  i8th,  1793,  the  immediate  cause  being  consump- 
tion. His  parish  was  very  extensive.  At  the  beginning 
of  his  labors  and  until  the  arrival  of  Rev.  William  Black- 
stocks,  Dec.  25th,  1792,  near  his  death,  there  was  not  even 
a  resident  minister  in  the  bounds  of  the  First  Presbytery. 
All  the  field  from  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  to  Iredell  Co.,  N. 
C,  with  churches  formed  and  fomiing  was  indeed  a  bur- 
den. 

He  was  instrumental  in  holding  much  of  this  large  ter- 
ritory for  the  A.  R.  P.  Church.  Although  of  delicate  con- 
stitution he  not  only  preached  in  this  extensive  parish, 
but  excelled  in  catechetical  instruction.  He  had  also  a 
very  accurate  knowledge  of  human  nature. 

His  mental  qualities  were  of  high  order  and  his  pulpit 
exercises  very  acceptable  and  fruitful.  He  was  a  de- 
voted, learned  and  laborious  minister,  but  the  ]\Iaster 
called  him  early  to  exchange  the  cross  for  the  crown,  the 
church  militant  for  the  church  triumphant. 

Boyce,  Samuel  Coluiiibus. — Was  born  near  Sardis 
Church,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  June  7,  1828.  When 
about  17,  his  father  having  died,  he  went  to  Lincoln  Co., 
Tenn.,  and  entered  \^iney  Grove  Academy,  and  in  three 
and  one-half  years  was  prepared  for  and  entered  Er- 
skine  College,  graduating  in  1852. 

His  divinity  course  was  taken  under  Dr.  James  Boyce 
and  Rev.  J.  M.  Walker,  and  at  U.  P.  Seminary  New- 
burg,  X".  Y..  and  the  Presbyterian  in  Columbia,  S.  C. 
The  First  Presbytery  granted  him  license  April  17,  1855, 
and  Synod  that  fall  ordered  him  to  Kentucky,  supplying 
]\It.  Olivet  two  years.  His  stated  labors  began  then  at 
New  Hope,  where  he  was  installed  pastor  Sept.  loth, 
1859.  his  ordination  by  the  Kentucky  Presbytery  taking 
place  May  20th,  that  year.  This  relation  was  dissolved 
May    1 2th.    1864,   and  because  of  an   unhappy   domestic 


74 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


occurrence  he  was  suspended  Sept.  i6th,  1864.  He  sought 
and  obtained  restoration  and  joined  the  Presbyterian 
Church  May  25th,  1872.  After  spending  three  years  in 
Arkansas,  he  removed  to  Winchester,  Union  Co.,  N.  C, 
where  he  now  resides,  "an  humble,  meek  and  patient  man 
of  God." 

Boyce,  Thomas  Gilinorc. — Son  of  Samuel  iVmzi  Boyce 
and  Eliza  Moore  Nisbet,  was  born  February  3,  1862,  in 
Sardis  congregation,  Mecklenburgh  Co.,  N.  C.  He 
worked  on  the  farm  until  nearly   19  years  old,  going  to 

school  only  during  the 
slack  season  of  work,  a 
few  months  in  the  winter 
and  after  the  crops  were 
laid  by.  He  went  to 
school  one  full  year  and 
then  entered  the  Sopho- 
more class  at  Erskine  Col- 
lege in  1882.  He  gradu- 
ated with  first  honors  in 
the  class  of  1885.  When 
about  15  years  of  age  he 
joined  the  church  at  Sar- 
T.  (;.  BOYCE,  D.  D.  jjg^     j^g  ^^,^g  reccived  as  a 

student  of  Theology  by  the  First  Presbytery  at  White 
Oak,  S.  C,  Sept.  8,  1885,  and  prosecuted  his  Theological 
studies  at  Due  West,  S.  C.  in  Erskine  Theological  Semi- 
nary. He  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  First  Presbytery 
at  Smyrna,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  April  5,  1887.  While  labor- 
ing in  the  Arkansas  Presbytery,  he  was  called  as  pastor 
by  Hickory  Springs  in  Bradley  Co.,  and  Shady  Grove  in 
Cleveland  Co.  This  call  was  presented  and  accepted 
Oct.  29,  1888.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  by  the 
Arkansas  Presbytery  at  Hickory  Springs,  Dec.  4,  1888, 
and  at  Shady  Grove  his  installation  occurred  two  days 
later,  Dec.  6,  1888.     In  these  churches  he  labored  until 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  75 

he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Salem  Church,  Tipton 
Co.,  Tenn.,  which  call  was  accepted  and  he  was  installed 
there  March  4,  1893.  This  relation  continues  to  this  day, 
1903. 

He  was  married  January  30,  1889,  to  Miss  Agnes 
Jane  Peoples,  daughter  of  Richard  R.  Peoples  and  Agnes 
McDill  Peoples,  the  marriage  taking  place  at  her  grand- 
mother McDill's  in  Hopewell  congregation,  the  Rev. 
Jno.  A.  White  officiating.  She  was  born  Oct.  10,  1867, 
in  Mecklenburgh  Co.,  N.  C,  and  died  in  Tipton  Co., 
Tenn.,  June  7,  1896.  Two  children  were  born  unto  them, 
James  Harvey  and  Iva  Theresa,  both  of  whom  are  still 
living. 

He  was  married  the  second  time  to  Mrs.  Lois  Martin 
Mills,  in  Newton  Co.,  Ga.  She  was  the  widow  of  Rev. 
R.  Y.  Mills  and  daughter  of  Rev.  John  E.  and  Isabella 
Grier  Martin,  and  was  born  July  3,  1868.  Three  children 
have  been  born  unto  them,  Margaret  Marian,  Mofifatt 
Grier  and  Edward  Gilmore. 

Since  February,  1892,  Rev.  Boyce  has  been  on  the  ed- 
itorial stafif  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian,  oc- 
cupying the  position  of  senior  editor  since  the  death  of 
Dr.  W.  M.  Grier.  He  was  moderator  of  the  Synod  of 
1896,  which  met  at  Chicota,  Lamar  Co.,  Texas. 

He  is  an  able  preacher,  presenting  the  Gospel  message 
in  a  remarkably  simple,  clear,  logical  and  irresistible 
manner.  His  deep  spirituality  and  intense  earnestness 
are  not  only  marked  in  his  pulpit  efforts,  but  "in  the  care 
of  the  flock  which  comes  upon  him  daily."  It  was  his 
privilege  to  spend  the  years  of  his  literary  and  Theologi- 
cal training  in  the  home  of  his  uncle,  the  Rev.  James 
Boyce,  D.  D.,  whose  valued  assistance  he  has  never  for- 
gotten. Wise  in  counsel,  discreet  and  clear  in  judgment, 
broad-minded  and  ])rogressive.  he  is  esteemed  among  his 
brethren. 

Boyd,  John  Laurense. — A  son  of  A\'illiam  B.  Boyd 
and     Francis     Ann    Carrington,     was    born     at     Cayce; 


76 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


Miss.,  Jan.  15,  1872.  He 
joined  the  church  at  Mt. 
Carmel,  Miss.,  about  1888. 
He  attended  Erskine  Col- 
lege and  Seminary,  and 
was  received  as  a  student 
of  theology  Oct.,  1901,  by 
the  Memphis  Presbytery. 
He  was  married  to  Sa- 
rah Elizabeth  Crenshaw, 
daughter  of  N.  B.  and  S. 
E.  Crenshaw,  of  Luck, 
Miss.  The  marriage  took 
place  Dec.  31,  1895.  Two 
children  have  been  born  to 
them. 


Boyd,  Charles  Morgan. — Is  the  son  of  W^illiani 
Baldridge  Boyd  and  Francis  Ann  Carrington,  and  was 
born  at  Cayce,  Miss., 
April  25,  1875.  He  re- 
ceived his  common  school 
training  in  the  public 
school,  and  his  High 
School  training  in  the  Rob- 
inson High  School  at 
Atoka,  Tenn.  He  in- 
tended entering  Erskine 
College  in  the  fall  of  1896, 
but  was  prevented  by  a 
spell  of  fever.  In  1897  ^^'^ 
entered  college  and  was 
graduated  in  June,  1900. 
He  joined  the  church  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  and  was  received  by  the  Second  Presby- 
tery as  a  student  of  theology  at  Iva,  S.  C,  April,  1901, 
licensed   by   the   same   Presbytery,   Aj^ril,    1002,   and   or- 


M.     BOY  11. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


77 


dained  at  Due  West,  Nov.  13,  1902.  He  spent  his  entire 
seminary  time  at  our  own  Erskine  Seminary  at  Due 
West,  S  C.  He  has  preached  since  his  Hcensure  at 
Prosperity,  Kings  Creek,  and  Unity,  Newberry,  S.  C. 
This  charge  has  presented  through  the  Second  Presby- 
tery flattering  calls  to  him. 

Mr.  PJoyd  has  some  marked  gifts  as  a  writer  and 
speaker,  having  won  the  prize  as  the  best  orator  at  the 
"Inter-State  Collegiate  Contest"  of  the  Colleges  of  S.  C. 


Bradley,  Rev.  R.  F. — Was  born  in  Abbeville  Co.,  Sept. 
22nd.  1846.  In  early  life  he  had  the  advantage  of  neigh- 

bormg  schools,  and  the 
High  Schools  taught  by 
Rev.  E.  L.  Patton,  near 
Long  Cane,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  Erskine,  1869, 
and  from  Erskine  Semi- 
nary in  1872.  He  was  li- 
censed by  the  Second  Pres- 
b}ter}'  the  same  year  at  its 
fall  meeting.  Cannon's 
Creek,    Newberry,   S.   C. 

Mr.  Bradley  was  or- 
dained and  installed  pastor 
of  Generostee  and  Con- 
cord, S.  C,  Sept.  5th, 
1873,  ^"<^1  demitted  this  work  in  the  fall  of  1883.  He  was 
also  installed  the  first  pastor  of  Troy  S.  C,  in  the  spring 
of  1884,  and  demitted  this  charge  in  the  spring  of  1889, 
at  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  at  Ebenczer,  Ga.  On  Dec. 
5th,  1 89 1,  he  became  pastor  of  Long  Cane,  S.  C,  and 
still  continues  the  honored  pastor  of  this  charge.  Mr. 
P>ra(lley  has  led  a  l)usy  life.  In  addition  to  the  duties  of 
the  pastorate,  he  began  the  publication  of  the  "Psalm 
Singer,"  which  continued  for  two  years  and  was  sold  to 
Rev.    Geo.    Warrington,    Reaver    Falls,    Pa.      It   had   the 


K.    i;k.\i>i,ev. 


78 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


honor  of  proposing  the  first  Pan  Psahiiody  Counsel,  held 
in   Belfast,   Ireland. 

Mr.  Bradley  also  proposed  the  famous  pastoral  letter 
issued  by  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  1882,  and  is  an  enthusiastic 
advocate  of  union  between  the  A.  R.  P.  and  the  U.  P. 
churches.  Mr.  Bradley  was  the  Delegate  from  the  A.  R. 
Church  to  the  U.  P.  in  1893.  He  is  descended  of  dis- 
tinguished parentage  on  both  sides  of  his  ancestry,  and 
was  reared  in  choice  surroundings  in  early  life.  He  is  a 
vigorous,  fearless  preacher,  true  to  every  conviction  at 
any  cost,  is  a  diligent  student,  and  an  impressive  speaker. 


Brice,  Robert  Wilson. — 
Rev.  Robert  Wilson  Brice 
was  born  at  the  home  of 
his  father,  Robert  Brice, 
near  New  Hope  Church  in 
Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  July 
2nd,  1826.  His  ancestors 
were  all  Scotch-Irish.  His 
grandfather,  James  Brice, 
came  from  County  An- 
trim, Ireland,  about  1780, 
and  settled  on  Little  River. 
He  married  Jane  Wilson, 
the  daughter  of  Robert 
Wilson,  one  of  the  leaders 
of  the  Whigs  in  his  neighborhood,  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary War. 

The  mother  of  Robert  Wilson  Brice  was  Margaret 
Simonton,  the  daughter  of  John  Simonton  and  Jeannette 
Strong.  On  both  sides  the  parents  of  Mr.  Brice  were  in- 
telligent and  pious,  thrifty  and  industrious.  His  grand- 
father, James  Brice,  gave  the  land  on  which  the  New 
Hope  Church  stands,  and  his  father,  Robert  Brice,  was 
for  many  years  an  elder  in  the  congregation.  His  grand- 
father, John  Simonton,  was  also  an  elder  in  New  Hope. 


K.     \V.     BRICE. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  79 

When  a  boy,  R.  W.  Brice  attended  the  schools  near  his 
home,  and  was  prepared  for  college  by  John  McClurkin, 
who  for  many  years  taught  the  school  at  New  Hope. 

In  the  fall  of  1840  he  entered  Erskine  College,  gradu- 
ating in  1844.  Even  as  a  boy  and  young  man,  those  no- 
ble traits  of  character  which  were  displayed  in  his  life 
afterwards,  were  plainly  manifested,  and  he  always  ex- 
erted a  good  influence  over  his  associates.  He  connected 
with  the  church  while  a  student  in  college,  and  in  Dec, 
1844,  when  only  a  boy  of  eighteen,  he  began  the  study  of 
Theology  under  his  brother-in-law,  Rev.  L.  McDonald, 
then  pastor  of  Union  Church  in  Chester  Co. 

The  session  of  1845 -1846,  he  spent  in  the  A.  R.  Sem- 
inary at  Alleghany,  Pa.,  then  presided  over  by  Dr.  John 
T.  Pressly.  On  returning  to  the  home  of  his  father  in 
the  spring  of  1846,  he  taught  school  for  a  time  at  New 
Hope,  and  then  went  to  the  Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
where  he  completed  his  course  in  the  spring  of  1848. 
He  was  received  as  a  student  by  the  First  Presbytery  in 
1847,  and  was  licensed  in  April,  1848.  After  supplying 
some  of  the  vacancies  in  the  First  Presbytery,  he  was 
sent  to  Kentucky  in  1848,  to  supply  some  of  the  vacancies 
in  that  State.  In  the  winter  of  1849-50  he  received  a 
call  from  Hinkston,  Ky.,  and  in  Jan.,  1850,  he  also  re- 
ceived a  call  to  Hopewell,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  and  this 
latter  call  he  accepted,  and  on  May  31st,  1850,  he  was 
ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  of  Hopewell,  and  there 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  as  the  beloved  pastor  of 
this  people.  On  March  4th,  1850.  he  was  happily  mar- 
ried to  Anna  Maria,  the  daughter  of  Rev.  John  and  Jane 
C.  Steele,  of  Kentucky,  who  proved  to  be  to  him  a  help- 
meet indeed,  and  a  model  pastor's  wife.  To  them  was 
born  a  large  family  of  children,  all  of  who(m  have  proved 
worthy  children  of  a  noble  pair.  As  a  pastor,  Mr.  Brice 
was  greatly  beloved  by  his  congregation.  His  people 
placed  implicit  confidence  and  trust  in  him,  for  they 
found  him  to  be  a  man  without  guile  and  without  hv- 


8o  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

pocris}'.  He  possessed,  a  clear  intellect,  sound  judg- 
ment and  rare  common  sense.  His  sermons  were  plain, 
expository  and  practical,  and  more  than  ordinarily  in- 
teresting- and  instructive.  Dr.  R.  Lathan,  who  was 
raised  in  Hopewell,  says :  "He  never  preached  a  poor 
sermon — never  an  unstudied  one."  His  custo'tn  was, 
during  the  winter  months,  to  explain  a  Psalm  and 
preach  a  sermon,  and  during  the  summer  months  to  lec- 
ture on  some  book  of  the  Bible,  selected  in  regular  or- 
der, and  then  after  a  short  interval  to  preach  a  sermon. 
In  this  way  he  had  explained  the  whole  book  of  Psalms, 
and  his  lectures  covered  a  good  portion  of  the  books  of 
the  New  Testament.  In  his  time  Hopewell  was  literally 
a  school  house  in  which  the  Bible  was  taught.  These 
faithful  labors,  together  with  regular  pastoral  visitation 
and  catechising  were  blessed  to  the  edification  of  his 
congregation.  In  1866  or  1867,  Mr.  Brice  began  to 
preach  one  third  of  his  time  at  old  Purity,  two  miles 
south  of  Chester,  and  there  in  1869  he  organized  the 
present  A.  R.  P.  Church  at  Chester.  He  continued  to 
minister  to  this  new  organization  for  one  third  of  his 
time  until  October,  1875. 

From  the  first  to  the  last,  Mr  Brice  took  an  active  in- 
terest in  everything  that  pertained  to  the  welfare  of  his 
denomination.  He  was  constant  in  his  attendance  at 
Presbytery  and  Synod,  and  was  an  influential  member 
of  both  these  courts.  He  was  Moderator  of  Synod  at 
Sardis,  N.  C,  in  1862,  and  at  Hopewell,  Tenn.,  in  1874, 
and  he  was  Treasurer  of  Synod's  Home  Mission  funds 
from  1854  to  1878.  In  summing  up  the  character  of 
Mr.  Brice,  Dr.  Lathan,  who  was  in  early  life  a  member 
of  his  congregation,  and  for  a  while  a  student  in  his 
home,  says  in  his  history  of  Hopewell  and  its  Pastors : 
"He  was  in  the  strictest  sense  of  the  word  a  model  man. 
Nature  had  bestowed  on  him  some  rare  gifts.  His  dis- 
position was  that  of  a  high-toned  Christian  gentleman. 
In  his  nature  there  was  nothinc:  wild  and  fanciful.     He 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


was  by  every  instinct  of  his  being  a  matter  of  fact  man. 
His  passions  were  kept  under  perfect  control.  Xo  man, 
so  far  as  we  know,  ever  saw  him  violently  angry,  nor 
did  anyone  ever  hear  him  utter  a  hasty  or  rash  sentence. 
x*\ll  his  convictions  were  reached  calmly  and  conscien- 
tiously. Amid  all  the  vicissitudes  of  life,  he  was,  as  near 
as  mortal  man  can  be,  the  same.  His  manners  were 
plain  but  always  gentlemanly. 

No  man  was  better  adapted  to  make  himself  friends, 
and  no  man  was  better  fitted  to  retain  them  when  made. 
Nature  designed  him  to  govern  others,  in  that  he  was 
granted  power  to  govern  himself." 

With  the  close  of  the  year  1877.  the  actual  labors  of 
Mr.  Brice  came  to  an  end.  On  the  last  Sabbath  of  that 
year,  he  preached  at  Hopewell  his  last  sermon.  As  the 
sun  went  down  on  the  14th  of  March,  1878,  he  peace- 
fully passed  from  earth,  saying:  "For  me  to  live  is 
Christ  and  to  die  is  gain."  On  the  i6th  of  March  he 
was  buried  at  Hopewell  amid  the  tears  of  a  sorrowing 
family  and  congregation.  He  left  surviving  him  his  be- 
loved wife  and  ten  children,  three  sons  and  seven  daugh- 
ters. 

Brysoii,  Henry,  D.  D. — 
Was  born  February  20, 
1799,  in  Laurens  District, 
S.  C,  whither  his  parents 
had  come  from  the  North 
of  Ireland  before  the  war 
for  Independence.  He  was 
one  of  the  pioneers  among 
the  ministers  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Presby- 
terian Church  west  of  the 
Allegheny  Mountains.  For 
nearly  half  a  century  he 
exercised  a  wide  and  pow- 
erful      influence       as       a . 


IIENKV     liKV.SON,     D.     D. 


82  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

preacher  and  teacher  in  Middle  Tennessee,  building 
strong  churches  and  sending  out  many  young  men  well 
prepared  for  their  life  work. 

The  family  were  members  of  the  Liberty  Springs 
Presbyterian  Church  and  his  training  was  after  the  strict 
manner  of  the  Scotch  Irish  of  that  day.  The  son,  Henry, 
was  prepared  for  college  under  Rev.  Sam'l  P.  Pressly, 
at  Union  Academy,  in  Abbeville  District,  S.  C,  where  he 
also  assisted  in  teaching.  He  then  went  to  Transylvania 
University  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  from  which  he  graduated 
with  a  class  of  forty-seven  in  1823,  honored  for  his  piety 
and  scholarship. 

He  had  dedicated  himself  to  the  Gospel  ministry,  and 
on  his  return  home  finding  that  the  family  had  united 
with  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  he 
joined  with  them.  As  his  father  had  died  and  he  was 
needed  at  home,  he  studied  Theology  privately  with  the 
Rev.  John  T.  Pressly,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Second 
Presbytery,  March  4,  1826. 

He  was  at  once  sent  on  an  exploring  and  evangelistic 
tour  through  the  then  thinly  settled  West  and  Southwest. 
He  traveled  over  four  thousand  miles  on  horseback,  over 
the  mountains,  through  the  Indian  country,  through  the 
wilderness,  visiting  the  scattered  settlements  of  Presby- 
terians and  preaching  to  them.  He  was  gone  for  a  year, 
and  experienced  many  thrilling  adventures,  escaping 
many  perils  and  showing  the  heroic  stuff  of  which  his 
spirit  was  formed.  As  he  reached  home  he  found  the 
congregation  gathered  to  hear  Dr.  Pressly  preach  his 
funeral.  They  had  not  heard  from  him  for  many 
months  and  were  sure  he  was  dead.  During  this  jour- 
ney he  was  stricken  with  fever  in  Florida.  His  life 
was  despaired  of  when  an  old  Scotch  Highlander  visited 
him  and  prayed  earnestly  for  him  in  Gaelic.  He  began 
at  once  to  improve  and  always  felt  that  his  recovery 
was  in  answer  to  that  prayer. 

On  the  3rd  day  of  November,  1827,  he  was  ordained 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  83 

to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry.  Soon  afterward  he 
was  married  to  Aliss  Hannah  MclNIullen,  a  woman  of 
sterling  character,  of  deep  piety,  of  refinement  and  cul- 
ture, wdio  proved  to  be  a  helpmeet  indeed.  They  came 
to  Lincoln  Co.,  Tcnn.,  where  he  began  his  work  of  life, 
with  two  feeble  organizations.  Delicate  health  so  inter- 
fered with  his  efforts  that  his  active  ministry  w-as  only 
for  twenty  years.  Yet  in  that  time  he  preached  the  Gos- 
pel so  earnestly  and  was  so  faithful  in  pastoral  visiting 
that  he  gathered  over  four  hundred  into  his  churches. 

His  preaching  w-as  scholarly,  yet  simple  and  plain. 
While  he  held  strenuously  to  the  Calvinistic  doctrines, 
yet  he  made  everything  lead  to  Christ  as  a  living,  per- 
sonal Saviour  and  God  owned  and  blessed  his  work. 

He  early  realized  the  need  of  a  high  class  school  in  the 
community,  and  so  he  established  and  for  years  con- 
ducted a  classical  academy  at  his  home,  A  iney  Grove. 
He  was  a  fine  teacher,  able  to  impart  knowledge,  to 
train  his  pupils  to  think  and  to  inspire  enthusiasm  in 
them.  Many  students  came  to  him  from  Tennessee  and 
the  neighboring  States,  and  his  students  have  filled  im- 
portant positions  in  church  and  State. 

But  after  awhile  ill  health  forced  him  to  give  up  teach- 
ing and  for  a  number  of  years  he  was  an  invalid.  But 
even  then  his  influence  was  very  great  as  an  adviser 
and  comforter.  He  delighted  as  long  as  he  was  able  to 
visit  the  sick  and  afflicted  and  pray  with  them. 

In  1874  the  end  came  and  the  summons  found  him 
fully  ready.  His  end  was  not  only  peace  but  triumph. 
He  entered  his  rest  with  the  praise  of  God's  grace  on  his 
lips  and  the  light  of  God's  countenance  brightening  his 
face.  His  whole  life  was  a  glorifying  of  Christ  and  his 
death  was  a  going  to  be  with  Christ. 

Brysoii,  John  Henry,  D.  D. — \\'as  a  son  of  the  Rev. 
Henry  Bryson.  D.  D..  and  was  born  at  Fayetteville, 
Tenn.,  April  3.   1831.     He  took  his  literary  and  Theo- 


84  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

logical  course  at  Erskine  College,  Due  West,  S.  C,  and 
Newburgh,  N.  Y.  He  was  ordained  in  1855  and  spent 
a  year  in  evangelistic  labor  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 
He  was  then  installed  pastor  of  Hopewell  Associate  Re- 
fomied  Presbyterian  Church,  Alaury  County.  It  was  a 
strong  church  and  his  work  was  very  effective  there  until 
the  beginning  of  the  civil  war.  He  was  appointed  in  the 
Southern  Army  and  finally  became  Chaplain  of  Hardee's 
Corps,  in  the  Army  of  Tennessee.  He  was  abundant  in 
labors  for  the  soldiers,  and  was  one  of  the  most  eft'ective 
chaplains. 

After  the  war  closed,  he  was  called  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Shelbyville,  Tenn.,  and  he  was  received  into  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Thenceforward  he  was  one  of  the 
leading  ministers  of  that  denomination.  He  Avas  pastor 
at  Shelbyville  from  1868  to  1872.  He  then  spent  a  year  of 
study  at  the  University  of  Virginia.  He  was  pastor  at  Co- 
limibia,  S.  C,  from  1873  to  1876,  was  delegate  to  the  Pan- 
Presbyterian  Council  at  Edinburgh  in  1877,  and  then 
spent  a  year  in  travel  in  Egypt  and  Palestine. 

In  1881  he  became  pastor  of  Huntsville,  Ala.,  where  he 
remained  to  the  end  of  his  days,  for  16  years. 

Dr.  Bryson  was  moderator  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  at  Augusta,  Ga.,  in 
1886.  Was  one  of  the  committee  of  the  Southern  As- 
sembly to  arrange  terms  of  fraternity  with  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed Church. 

He  was  a  preacher  of  great  power  and  a  man  of  very 
lovable  character.  Pie  won  the  devotion  of  his  people  by 
his  unselfish  labors  for  their  welfare.  He  was  absolutely 
fearless  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty.  He  was  a  man  of 
large  public  spirit.  The  citizens  of  Huntsville  called  on 
him  frequently  to  use  his  influence  in  behalf  of  civic  enter- 
prises of  moment.  Especially  had  he  studied  the  Nica- 
raugua  Canal  question,  and  delivered  a  remarkable  ad- 
dress before  the  Legislature  of  Tennessee  at  their  request. 

For  more  than  a  year  before  his  death  his  health  was 


SKETCHES    OF     MINISTERS.  85 

failing.  Refusing  to  allow  him  to  resign,  his  people  did 
all  they  could  for  him.  But  on  Feb.  ist,  1897,  he  entered 
into  rest,  mourned  by  the  whole  community.  The  church 
at  Huntsville,  in  honor  of  his  character  and  work,  have 
erected  a  chapel  to  his  memory,  placed  a  beautiful  memo- 
rial window  in  the  church  and  furnished  a  reading  room 
in  the  Alabama  Orphanage  in  his  name. 

Bn'soii,  Peter,  Col. — Son  of  Henry  and  \'iolet  Bryson, 
was  f3orn  in  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C,  Feb.  19,  1838.  He  had 
no  opportunity  to  go  to  school.  He  joined  the  church  at 
Bethany.  Miss.,  during  Rev.  J.  L.  Young's  pastorate,  per- 
haps in  1854.  He  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology 
in  May,  1884,  by  the  Memphis  Presbytery,  studied  The- 
ology under  Rev.  Samuel  A.  Agnew,  D.  D.,  and  was  li- 
censed at  ^It.  Paran,  Tenn.,  Sept  13,  1884,  by  the  Mem- 
phis Presbytery  and  was  ordained  by  a  commission  of  this 
Presbytery  at  Salem,  Tenn.  on  Saturday  before  the  5th 
Sabbath  of  May,  1887. 

He  preached  two  years  in  Lee  Co.,  Miss.,  and  since 
then  has  been  the  virtual  pastor  of  Hebron,  Tenn.,  tho' 
he  was  never  installed,  and  there  he  continues  to  labor, 
fulfilling  a  long  cherished  desire— to  preach  the  Gospel. 
Without  education,  his  familiarity  with  the  Word  of  God 
is  remarkable.  He  is  able  to  repeat  from  ,memory  practi- 
cally all  the  Metrical  Psalms,  and  many  other  portions  of 
the  Scripture,  and  there  is  spiritual  discernment  of  the 
truth.  Humble  and  pious  in  life,  he  is  devoted  to  his 
High  Calling  in  Christ,  laboring  faithfully  among  his 
people,  his  living  being  not  wholly  of  the  Gospel,  but 
largely  by  his  own  hands. 

He  was  married  about  1864  at  Rev.  J.  L.  Young's,  to 
Sallie  Young,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Dicey  Young. 
Eleven  children  were  born  to  them.  One  of  his  daughters 
was  educated  at  the  United  Presbyterian  College  in 
Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  taught  school  for  some  time.  She 
died  in   1902. 


86  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

Brozvn,  James  Alontgomery,  D.  D. — Was  of  Scotch 
descent,  a  son  of  Samuel  Brown,  born  in  Lincoln  Co., 
Tenn.,  Nov.  ii,  1834.  He  was  reared  in  the  bounds  of 
Prosperity,  attended  Viney  Grove  Academy  and  joined 
Bethel  in  1853.  After  three  years  in  Erskine  College,  he 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1856,  and  from  the  Theological 
Seminary  in  1857.  The  Tenn.  Presbytery  licensed  him 
to  preach  that  year,  and  he  supplied  churches  in  Tennes- 
see and  Kentucky  Presbyteries  until  Oct.,  1858.  At  that 
time  Synod  sent  him  to  Arkansas  to  labor  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Memphis  Presbytery. 

He  was  ordained  by  the  Tennessee  Presbytery  before 
entering  upon  this  mission.  He  became  pastor  of  Mon- 
ticello,  and  Mt.  Zion  in  1859,  but  demitted  the  former 
the  next  year.  He  continued  to  serve  Mt.  Zion  as  pastor 
for  half  time  until  1884.  The  other  half  of  his  time  was 
given  largely  to  evangelistic  work, — a  work  in  which  he 
took  great  delight.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  Confed- 
erate service,  in  the  29th  Arkansas  infantry,  and  was 
soon  elected  chaplain  and  historian  of  his  regiment.  In 
this  capacity  he  served  faithfully  until  his  regiment  was 
disbanded  at  Marshall,  Texas,  in   May,    1865. 

When  the  army  went  into  action  he  always  carried  his 
musket  as  a  private  soldier.  He  had  many  thrilling  ex- 
periences and  narrow  escapes.  After  the  close  of  the 
war,  he  returned  to  his  pastorate.  In  the  fall  of  1867  he 
and  the  Mt.  Zion  congregation  changed  their  connection 
to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  From  that  time 
until  1900  he  served  his  presbytery  as  evangelist,  devot- 
ing a  part  or  all  of  his  time  to  this  work.  When  failing 
health  compelled  him  to  resign  this  work,  his  presbytery, 
after  adopting  a  scries  of  very  complimentary  resolu- 
tions, conferred  on  him  the  unique  title  "h^vangelist  Emer- 
itus of  Pine  Bluff  Presbytery."  He  received  the  degree 
of  D.  D.  from  the  Presbyterian  College  at  Batesville,  Ark. 

He  died  at  his  home,  Fordycc,  Ark.,  Jan.  7,  1903.  Dr. 
Brown  was  possessed  of  superior  social  qualities.      H[is 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  87 

preaching  was  scriptural  and  his  style  well  adapted  to 
evangelistic  work.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Ellen 
Marshall,  daughter  of  William  Marshall,  an  elder  m  Mt. 
Olivet,  Ky,  Oct.  25,  1859-  She  died  March  14,  1862, 
leaving  one  daughter.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Susan, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Robert  Harper,  an  elder  in  Mt.  Zion, 
Oct  13,  1863.  Ten  children  were  born  to  his  second 
wife  two  of  whom  became  ministers  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  U.  S.,  viz. :  E.  D.  Brown,  A.  M.,  president 
of  Daniel  Baker  College,  Brownwood,  Texas,  and  S.  W. 
Brown,  pastor  of  Ruston,  La. 

Caldivell,  Dallas  Grier.— 
Son  of  Charles  Allen  Caldwell 
and  Louise  Jeannette  Coch- 
rane, was  born  in  Cabarras 
County,  N.  C,  Feb.  19,  1856. 
Having  access  to  good 
schools,  his  primary  education 
was  sound  and  thorough,  and 
at  an  early  age  he  entered 
upon  his  college  course  at 
REV.  D.  G.  c.\LD\vELL.  Ersklnc  Collcge,  being  grad- 

uated from  that  institution  at 
the  age  of  seventeen.  \\\\\\e  a  student  at  Erskine,  he 
united  with  the  church  at  Due  West,  S.  C. 

In  the  fall  of  1873.  the  year  of  his  graduation,  he  be- 
came a  student  in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  was  re- 
ceived as  a  student  of  Theology  in  the  spring  of  1874 
by  the  First  Presbytery  at  Hopewell,  S.  C,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Seminary  in  the  spring  of  1875.  In  Sep- 
tember of  that  year  he  received  license  to  preach  from  the 
First  Presbvtery,  and  was  ordained  in  November,  1876, 
bv  a  commission  appointed  by  First  Presbytery,  at  Ster- 
ling, N.  C.  After  his  ordination,  he  assisted  Rev.  W.  B. 
Pressly  in  the  Statesville  field  for  several  months,  and 
during  the  next  two  years  supplied  at  various  times  the 


88 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


following  churches :  Sterling  and  Amity,  N.  C. ;  Hope- 
well, S.  C. ;  Huntersville,  Gilead,  and  Prosperity,  N.  C. 

In  1879  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  Gilead 
and  Prosperity,  N.  C,  and  was  installed  in  the  spring  of 
the  same  year.  At  the  end  of  six  years  he  became  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Statesville,  N.  C,  where  he  remained  for 
six  years  longer.  In  1891  he  accepted  a  call  to  Neely's 
Creek,  S.  C,  where  he  served  a  pastorate  of  three  years. 

On  the  thirteenth  of  July,  1875,  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Barksdale 
Sitton,  daughter  of  James  Young  and  Harriet  Davis 
Sitton.  Of  the  eight  children  born  to  them,  five  are  liv- 
ing. 

Since  1893,  he  has  occupied  the  chair  of  Latin  and 
French  in  Erskine  College. 


Caldwell,  Rev.  Ira  S. — 
Was  born  in  Mecklenburg 
County,  N.  C,  in  1872. 

His  father  was  John  H. 
Caldwell,  his  mother  Miss 
Rose  L.  Hunter.  He  grad- 
uated at  Erskine  College 
in  the  class  of  1897.  He 
joined  the  church  at  Back 
Creek,  N.  C.  in  1885.  He 
was  received  as  a  student 
of  Theology  in  April, 
1898,  by  the  First  Presby- 
tery, in  the  city  of  Charlotte.  He  studied  Theology  at 
the  Erskine  Seminary,  Due  West,  S.  C.  He  was  licensed 
to  preach  in  April,  1900,  by  the  First  Presbytery,  at 
Pisgah,  N.  C. 

He  was  ordained  by  a  commission  of  Second  Presby- 
tery in  December,  1900.  He  began  his  ministerial  labors 
at  White  Oak,  Coweta  County,  Georgia,  in  June,  1900. 
He  was  called  to  be  the  pastor  of  this  church  in  October 


I.     S.     CALDWELL. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


89 


of  the  same  year,  and  was  installed  as  pastor  in  Decem- 
ber. On  Oct.  1 6th,  1 90 1,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Car- 
rie Preston  Bell.  Her  father's  name  was  Richard  Henry 
Bell  and  her  mother's  name  was  Miss  Katharine  Withers. 
They  lived  at  Warenton,  Virginia,  where  Mrs.  Caldwell 
was  born.  Her  great  grandfather  was  a  personal  friend 
of  LaFayette  and  served  wath  him  in  the  war  of  the  Rev- 
olution. Rev.  Caldwell  served  in  the  U.  S.  Army  in 
Cuba  during  the  Spanish  American  war.  He  has  rare 
gifts  as  a  preacher  and  is  doing  a  splendid  work  in  his 
chosen  field. 

Calderhcad,  Eben&zer  Brozuii. — Son  of  Rev.  Alexan- 
der; born  in  Belmost  Co.,  Ohio,  Jan.  4th,  1810;  w^as 
graduated  at  Franklin,  1836,  and  took  a  course  in  divin- 
ity at  Allegheny,  1837 ;  licensed  by  Steubenville  Presby- 
tery, May  9th,  1840,  and  ordained  by  Second  Ohio,  Aug. 
II,  1 841.  Serving  as  pastor  in  Ohio  till  1861,  he  came 
through  the  First  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Ohio  into  the 
Southern  Synod.  Passed  to  Western  Missouri  in  1869, 
and  w^as  living  without  charge  in  the  U.  P.  church  at 
iMarysville.    Kansas,    1891. 

Carson,  Rev.  John  Woo- 
ten. — Was  born  March  8, 
1873,  in  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C, 
in  the  bounds  of  Pisgah 
congregation.  He  is  a  son 
of  John  B.  and  Nancy 
(Bigham)  Carson.  His 
mother  was  from  Hope- 
well church,  in  Chester 
Co.,  S.  C. 

At  12  years  of  age  he 
was  admitted  to  full  mem- 
bership at  Pisgah.  He  at- 
tended the  High  School  in 
Gastonia    two    years,    en- 


J.     W.    CARSON. 


90 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


tered  Erskine  College  in  the  Freshman  Class  Feb.,  1895, 
and  graduated  with  distinction  in  the  class  of  1898.  He 
worked  his  way  through  College.  He  entered  Erskine 
Theological  Seminary  in  Oct.,  1898;  was  received  as  a 
student  of  Theology  by  the  ist  Presbytery  at  Winnsboro, 
S.  C,  April  3,  1899,  and  was  licensed  by  the  same  Pres- 
bytery, at  Pisgah,  N.  C,  ]\Iay  8,  1900.  In  June,  1900, 
he  began  work  at  Bethany  and  Pottsville,  Ark.  He  was 
ordained  by  the  Arkansas  Presbytery  at  Zion,  Nov.  3, 

1900,  and  installed  pastor  of  Bethany  and  Pottsville, 
Nov.  6.     He  married  Miss  Nannie  Crawford,  Jan.    16, 

190 1.  She  was  a  daughter  of  J.  T  Crawford,  of  Pisgah 
congregation,  N.  C,  and  a  graduate  of  the  Due  West 
Female  College  in  the  class  of  '96,  and  is  a  woman  of 
culture  and  marked  social  gifts,  and  an  ideal  helpmeet  to 
her  husband. 

Mr.  Carson  is  a  man  of  fine  personal  address,  a  forcible 
Scriptural  preacher,  devoted  to  his  great  calling,  and  an 
enterprising  and  successful  pastor. 

On  Oct.  30th,  Mr.  Carson  demitted  Pottsville  and 
Bethany  to  accept  a  call  to  Ebenezer,  Miss.,  and  was 
transferred  to  the  Arkansas  Presbytery. 

Castles,     JVilliain     Sam- 
uel.— Was  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam     Lyles      and      Sarah 
Stirling    Castles,    and    was 
born    in    York   Co.,    S.    C, 
May    2nd,     i860.       In    his 
youth  he  was  fond  of  read- 
ing and  studying  the  Bible, 
which    came    to    be    a    life 
long    habit.      He    made    a 
profession   of  religion   and 
himself      with 
Church,    S.    C, 
1886.      He  was 


W.     S.     CASTLES. 


connected 
Hopewell 
June  5th, 
brought    up    on    the    farm 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS.  91 

and  his  educational  advantages  were  limited.  He  en- 
tered the  Sophomore  class  in  Erskine  College  in  1883 
and  graduated  in  1886.  His  health  was  somewhat  im- 
paired, and  he  spent  several  years  in  teaching  before  tak- 
ing up  a  profession.  In  Sept.,  1889,  he  entered  the  U.  P. 
Theological  Seminary,  in  Allegheny,  Pa.  Sept.,  1890, 
he  joined  the  ist  A.  R.  P.  Presbytery  at  King's  Moun- 
tain. He  finished  his  theological  covirse  in  Erskine  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  and  was  licensed  by  the  ist  A.  R.  Pres- 
bytery, at  Union  Church.  Richburg,  S.  C,  on  April  7th, 
1891.  The  following  July,  he  began  preaching  in  the 
Virginia  Presbytery  at  Bethel  and  Ebenezer.  In  the  fall 
of  the  same  year  he  went  to  Kentucky  and  preached 
eight  months  at  New  Hope,  Hinkston  and  Ebenezer.  In 
July,  1892,  he  began  preaching  for  the  churches  in  Lin- 
coln Co.,  Tenn.,  in  the  Tennessee  and  Alabama  Presby- 
tery, and  was  received  into  that  Presbytery  by  certifi- 
cate from  the  ist  A.  R.  Presbytery.  Accepting  a  call 
from  the  united  congregations  of  Bethel  and  New  Hope, 
he  was  installed  as  pastor  Nov.  2nd,  1893.  He  had  been 
ordained  by  this  Presbytery  at  its  spring  meeting  April 
29th,  1893.  The  work  prospered  in  his  hands,  and  the 
two  congregations  became  united  in  one,  which  erected  a 
new  and  handsome  church  on  the  south  bank  of  Elk 
River,  and  called  it  "Elk  Valley  Church."  He  demitted 
this  charge  Sept.  29th,  1894.  He  returned  to  Kentucky 
in  December,  and  preached  at  New  Hope  until  Mar.  15th, 
1895,  when  he  went  to  Mt.  Zion,  Mo.  Having  received 
a  call  from  that  church,  he  was  installed  as  pastor  May 
i6th,  1896.  Plis  work  was  short,  for  he  died  Feb.  i6th, 
1897.  in  the  full  triumphs  of  a  blessed  faith.  His  last 
words  were,  'T  see  the  great  empire  of  the  world  open- 
ing up  before  me,"  and,  raising  both  hands  and  looking 
upward  with  a  smile  upon  his  face,  he  passed  to  his  re- 
ward. His  body  was  taken  to  Hopewell,  S.  C.  and  bu- 
ried there. 

Mr.   Castles   was   never  married.      He   was  much  es- 


92  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

teemed  by  his  brethren  in  the  ministry.  His  people  were 
greatly  attached  to  him.  He  was  in  the  prime  of  life,  in 
his  thirty-eighth  year.  A  man  of  excellent  spirits,  a 
work-man  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed. 

Castles,  James  Robinson. — Son  of  Henry  and  Marga- 
ret (Sterling)  Castles,  was  born  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C, 
June  26th,  1823;  was  graduated  at  Erskine  College  Sept., 
1844.  After  a  full  course  in  Erskine  Theological  Sem- 
inary, the  First  Presbytery  licensed  him  Nov.  11,  1846. 
For  five  years  he  did  mission  work  in  his  Presbytery, 
making  his  home  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C. 

Smyrna,  York  Co.,  and  Sardis,  Union  Co.,  S.  C,  united 
in  calling  him  and  his  ordination  and  installation  occurred 
July  II,  1 85 1.  From  this  charge  he  was  released  April 
15th,  1862,  because  of  disease  of  the  throat. 

He  had  the  gravity  of  ministerial  habits,  presented  the 
doctrines  of  grace  in  a  clear,  earnest,  methodical  and  in- 
telligible manner.  His  was  pre-eminently  a  Job-like  suf- 
fering not  only  in  bodily  infirmity  but  in  loss  of  estate 
through  the  war  and  security.  His  was  a  ijninistry  of 
suffering.  "The  triumph  of  his  faith  in  his  last  hours 
left  the  impression  on  all  who  witnessed  them  that  he  was 
one  of  those  precious  ones,  whom  God  in  his  mysterious 
yet  gracious  providence  had  perfected  through  suffering." 

The  Lord  gave  him  a  helpmeet  in  Miss  Martha  Watt, 
sister  of  the  late  Rev.  J.  B.  Watt.  "She  was  empliatical- 
ly  a  gift  from  the  Lord  as  all  will  testify  who  knew 
any  thing  of  her  long  and  weary,  but  tender  and  sympa- 
thetic attentions  to  her  afflicted  husband  during  the  long 
years  of  his  suffering." 

Chalmers,  James  Clark. — Son  of  Capt.  James  and  Pris- 
cilla  (Clark)  Chalmers,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  born 
in  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C,  April  26,  1811.  Being  piously 
trained  and  thoroughly  indoctrinated,  he  began  the  study 
of  the  languages,   183 1,  in  Newberry  village,  under  his 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


93 


pastor,  Rev.  S.  P.  Pressly,  and  entered  the  State  Uni- 
versity, Athens,  Ga.,  1834,  and  graduated  Aug.,  1836. 

He  began  the  study  of  theology  under  Dr.  E.  E. 
Pressly,  being,  with  Rev.  L.  McDonald,  the  first  students 
to  enter  the  infant  Seminary  at  Due  West.  After  two 
years  the  Second  Presbytery  granted  him  licensure  Oct. 
5th,  1838.  In  one  of  his  missionary  journeys  with  Rev. 
Joseph  McCreary  they  lodged  one  night  with  a  family 
who  were  occupying  a  cabin  in  which  a  few  months  pre- 
vious an  entire  family  were  murdered  by  the  Indians. 
Oct.,  1839,  he  accepted  a  call  from  Generostee,  Shiloh  and 
Midway  (Concord),  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C,  and  was  or- 
dained in  April  and  installed  in  May,  1840.  This  charge 
necessitated  much  labor,  Generostee  and  Midway  being 
twenty  miles  apart  and  Shiloh  ten  miles  distant.  To  re- 
pair his  health  Synod  directed  him  to  spend  four  months 
in  south  Georgia  and  Florida.  This  mission  was  fulfilled 
beginning  November,  1844.  Pleasant  Grove,  Decatur 
Co.,  Ga.,  was  reorganized,  other  places  refreshed  and 
much  good  done.  Midway  was  demitted  in  fall  of 
1844,  and  soon  after  Shiloh  almost  in  a  body  em- 
igrated to  Mississippi  and  formed  the  present  Hope- 
well. He  continued  half  time  at  Generostee  and 
the  other  half  at  destitute  contiguous  points.  A 
part  of  the  year  '54-'55  was  spent  by  order  of  Synod 
in  collecting  Endowments  for  Erskine  College.  The 
Synodical  year  '56-57  found  him  missionary  to  the 
city  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  That  }ear  the  Presbytery  not 
accepting  his  resignation  and  being  about  to  engage  in 
niission  work  at  his  over  charges,  a  call  came  to  him  from 
Steel  Creek.  N'.  C,  and  the  installation  took  place  Oct. 
29,  1858,  and  the  resignation  Sept.  6,  188 1,  because  of 
serious  and  protracted  physical  inability.  Having  re- 
moved June.  1883.  to  Wimisboro,  S.  C.  he  ceased  from 
his  lalx^rs  and  entered  on  his  reward  July  7.  1887. 

As  a  preacher  he  was  plain,  practical  and  Scriptural; 
his  powers  in  the  pulpit  were  above  the  average.     In  fact 


94 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


when  he  was  in  the  prime  of  Hfe  he  was  regarded  as  a 
revival  preacher ;  his  sermons  were  always  prepared 
with  great  care  and  were  delivered  with  animation,  never 
prosy  and  always  edifying.  As  a  Presbyter  he  was  at 
all  times  considered  safe,  always  deliberate  and  cautious, 
never  rash.  One  of  the  marked  features  was  love  for 
God's  people.  No  man  ever  embraced  more  heartily  the 
distinctive  doctrines  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  or  adhered 
more  rigidly  to  its  practice  but  with  charity  for  all.  The 
colored  people  received  a  share  of  his  ministrations. 

Synod  called  him  to  the  Moderatorship  in  1855.  He 
was  a  faithful  minister  and  punctual.  In  43  years  pas- 
torate 381  were  received  into  the  Church,  331  infants  and 
55  adults  baptized  and  121  marriage  ceremonies  per- 
formed. Much  of  this  fruitful  ministry  was  doubtless 
due  to  his  life  companion,  Mary  Letitia  Strong,  born 
April  12,  1 82 1,  and  married  Dec.  12,  1839.  A  woman  of 
great  devotion  to  her  Church  she  had  decided  literary 
tastes,  being  the  authoress  of  "The  Harris  Fa^mily." 

Nine  children  were  born  to  them,  all  of  whom  except 
the  youngest  died  in  infancy.  This  one,  the  Benjamin, 
was  spared  to  them  and  became  the  tireless  worker,  the 
master  planer  and  builder,  the  skillful  debater,  the  elo- 
quent, learned  late  John  Thomas  Chalmers,  D.  D. 

Chalmers,  John  Thomas,  D.  D. — Rev.  John  T.  Chal- 
mers, D.  D.,  was  the  son  of  Rev.  James  Clark  Chalmers 
and  Mary  Letitia  Strong,  and  was  born  in  Mecklenburg 
Co.,  N.  C,  June  6th,  i860. 

Dr.  Chalmers  is  a  descendant,  on  his  mother's  side,  of 
John  Harris  and  Elenor  Reynolds,  who  were  married  in 
1754,  in  the  Monaghan  jail  in  Ireland,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Thos.  Clark.  Dr.  Clark  at  that  time  had  been  impris- 
oned for  refusing  to  take  the  State  Oath  and  to  kiss  the 
book.  These  young  people  of  his  congregation  came  to 
him  in  the  jail,  and  were  married  by  him.  They  soon 
afterwards  came  to  America,  and  from  this  historic  pair 


SKETCHES     OP    MINISTERS. 


95 


CHALMERSj      D.      D. 


has  sprung  a  numerous 
progeny  who  have  occupied 
useful  and  influential  places 
in  the  A.  R.  P.  and  other 
churches  in  this  country. 
In  a  sketch  of  the  Harris 
family,  published  by  Mrs. 
Mary  Chalmers  a  few  years 
ago,  it  is  stated  that  at  that 
tunc  there  were  forty-nine 
ministers  descended  from 
this  pious  and  worthy  pair, 
and  one  of  these  is  Dr. 
Chalmers,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

In  1875,  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  Mr.  Chalmers  entered 
Erskine  College,  and  graduated  in  1878.  Soon  after  he 
graduated  he  commenced  the  study  of  theology  under  his 
father,  and  afterwards  attended  Erskine  Seminary  at 
Due  West,  S.  C,  and  completed  his  course  at  Union  Sem- 
inary, New  York  City.  He  was  licensed  by  the  First 
Presbytery  at  Steele  Creek,  N.  C,  April  6th  1880. 

Before  leaving  the  Seminary  he  received  calls  from 
New  York  in  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  also 
from  North  and  South  Carolina.  Pie  accepted  the  call 
from  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  and  was  ordained  and  installed 
at  Winnsboro,  April  28th,  1881.  For  nearly  eleven  years 
he  was  pastor  there,  and  under  his  ministry  the  church 
prospered  greatly,  and  his  influence  was  great  in  the  Pres- 
bytery and  the  Synod.  In  the  fall  of  1891  he  resigned 
his  charge  at  Winnsboro,  and  in  October  of  the  same 
year,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Fourth  United  Presbyter- 
ian, Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  continued  there  for  four  years. 
This  is  one  of  the  largest  churches  of  the  U.  P.  Assem- 
bly, and  under  his  pastorate  it  maintained  its  high  stand- 
ard of  excellence.  While  he  was  pastor  there,  he  started 
a  Sabbath  School  in  1892,  with  eleven  pupils.     In  three 


96  SKETCHES     OE     MINISTERS. 

years'  this  enterprise  developed  into  a  church  with  fifty 
members  and  a  Sabbath  School  of  two  hundred  and 
seventy-five  members.  To-day  it  is  the  Wharton  Square 
Church,  with  several  hundred  members,  and  is  one  of  the 
leading  U.  P.  Churches  of  Philadelphia.  Dr.  Chalmers 
was  attaining  an  eminent  position  in  the  U.  P.  Church, 
but  he  could  not  stand  the  severe  climate,  and  he  had  to 
return  to  the  South  in  1895.  On  April  22nd,  1896,  he 
was  installed  pastor  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  at  Charlotte, 
N.  C,  and  so  continued  until  his  death  on  March  6th, 
1902. 

While  he  was  pastor  in  Charlotte  he  opened  a  mission 
school,  which  soon  grew  into  a  congregation.  He  can- 
vassed the  Synod  for  funds  to  build  a  church,  and  erected 
it,  and  it  is  now  the  East  Avenue  Church,  with  a  pastor, 
a  membership  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  and  a  Sabbath 
school  of  over  three  hundred  pupils. 

While  he  was  pastor  in  Winnsboro,  he  was  for  five 
years  Associate  Editor  of  the  A.  R.  Preshyterian,  and 
contributed  more  than  six  hundred  articles  to  its  columns. 
In  1900  he  published  a  pamphlet  entitled  "Ten  Reasons 
why  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  Adheres  to  an  Inspired  Psal- 
ter," which  is  said,  by  competent  judges,  to  be  one  of  the 
ablest  papers  on  that  subject. 

He  was  a  popular  lecturer  of  high  order,  and  his 
efforts  on  the  platform  always  met  with  the  highest  en- 
comiums from  the  people  and  the  press. 

During  the  year  1884  he  spent  three  months  as  a  special 
agent  of  Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  traveling  over 
the  Synod  and  raising  an  additional  endowment  of  $25,- 
000.  At  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  in 
1899,  he  was  elected  President  of  Erskine  College  to  suc- 
ceed the  late  Dr.  W.  M.  Grier,  but  he  declined  to  accept 
it,  preferring  to  reinain  in  the  pastorate.  The  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  on  him  by  the  trustees 
of  Monmouth  College,  in  Illinois. 

Dr.  Chalmers  was  twice  married,  first  to  Miss  Johnnie 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  97 

Caroline  Brice,  of  New  Hope,  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  on 
Oct.  26th,  1882.  She  was  the  daughter  of  John  Brice  and 
Agnes  C.  Strong,  and  was  born  Oct.  i8th.  1863.  Six 
children  were  the  fruit  of  this  marriage,  four  of  whom 
survive.  Mrs.  Chalmers  died  Jan.  15th,  1893.  His  sec- 
ond marriage  occurred  Aug.  i8th,  1897,  to  Miss  Bessie 
Mitchell,  a  half  sister  of  his  first  wife.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Thos.  P.  and  Agnes  Mitchell  and  was  born  Aug. 
28th,  1870.  Two  children  were  born  to  her.  who  with 
their  mother  survive.  About  two  years  before  his  death, 
Dr.  Chalmers  developed  pulmonary  disease,  and  it  was 
a  sore  battle  with  him  until  the  end  peacefully  came. 

In  Dec.  1900,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  child  he 
went  to  Mexico,  and  spent  eight  months  in  seeking  to 
overcome  his  disease,  but  all  that  climate  or  medical  skill 
could  do,  did  not  stay  the  destroyer.  Surrounded  by  his 
sorrowing  family,  in  the  manse  hard  by  the  church 
of  his  love  in  Charlotte,  X.  C,  he  passed  away  March  6th, 
1902.  His  remains  were  taken  to  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  and 
he  now  rests  beside  his  father  and  mother,  his  first  wife 
and  two  children,  in  the  A.  R.  P.  Cemetery  at  that  place. 
Dr.  Chalmers  was  a  man  of  very  remarkable  gifts  and 
endowments,  and  his  death  so  early  in  life  was  a  great 
loss  to  the  Church. 

He  was  a  finished  scholar,  a  learned  theologian,  a  pol- 
ished and  eloquent  orator  in  the  pulpit  or  on  the  platform, 
a  man  of  clear  judgment,  wonderful  executive  ability, 
indomitable  energy,  and  a  natural  leader  of  men.  To 
sit  under  his  ministry  was  to  feed  on  the  deep  as  well  as 
the  practical  things  of  the  word,  and  to  be  his  parishioner 
was  to  be  a  worker  in  the  vineyard  of  the  IMaster.  Had 
he  belonc-ed  to  one  of  the  large  denominations  of  our 
country,  he  would  have  had  a  national  fame. 

We  shall  not  soon  see  his  like  again,  and  there  was 
mourning  all  over  the  Church  on  the  day  that  he  received 
his  crown. 


98  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

Clark,  Thomas. — Has  been  called  the  father  of  the  A. 
R.  P.  Church  in  the  South.  Little  is  known  of  his  pa- 
rentage, birthplace  and  early  education,  except  that  he 
was  born  in  Scotland,  of  pious  parents  and  brought  up 
vuider  most  hallowed  influences. 

"After  a  thorough  course  of  study  he  graduated  at  the 
University  of  Glasgow,  there  received  the  degree  of  M. 
D.,  and  in  the  war  against  the  Pretender  in  1745  and 
1746,  did  faithful  service  in  the  army.  The  earliest  pub- 
lic mention  made  of  him  is  in  connection  with  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Associate  Burgher  Synod  at  Sterling, 
Scotland,  in  June  16,  1747."  At  that  meeting  the  Presby- 
tery of  Glasgow  took  him  on  trial  for  license,  and 
after  studying  at  Sterling  under  Ebenezer  Erskine,  he 
was  licensed  to  preach  April,  1748.  He  accepted  a  call 
to  Ballibay  in  Ireland,  and  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  that  congregation  by  a  commission  of  Presby- 
tery July  23,  1 75 1.  In  the  same  3'ear  he  and  two  others 
were  organized  under  the  title  of  the  "Associate  Presby- 
tery of  Downs."  This  Presbytery  later  grew  into  a 
Synod. 

In  1754  he  was  imprisoned  in  Monaghan  jail  for 
alleged  disloyalty  to  the  King,  but  his  incarceration  was 
found  to  be  false  and  he  was  released  April  3,  1754. 

Dr.  Clark  now  began  to  direct  his  thoughts  to  America, 
and  on  May  10,  1764,  he  sailed  from  Newry  with  300 
people,  landed  safely,  and  settled  down  for  sixteen  years 
as  pastor  of  the  little  colony  located  where  Salem.  N.  Y., 
now  stands.  Some  of  his  people  having  settled  in  Long 
Cane,  Abbeville,  S.  C,  in  1786  he  removed  to  Cedar 
Spring  and  Long  Cane,  where  he  labored  until  his  death, 
Dec.  26,  1792. 

Dr.  Clark  was  a  ready  writer,  both  on  doctrinal  and 
practical  subjects.  He  wrote  an  able  defense  of  the 
Scripture  Psalms  for  the  worship  of  God.  He  was 
also  the  author  of  "a  Pastoral  and  Farewell  Letter,"  ad- 
dressed to  his  former  charge  in  r)allibay. 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  99 

In  his  labors  at  Long  Cane,  Dr.  Clark  found  a  broad 
field  opened  before  him,  and  he  was  the  man  whom  God 
had  raised  up  for  its  successful  cultivation.  "With  un- 
tiring zeal  and  entire  consecration  to  his  Master's  work, 
he  set  himself  to  building  up  Christ's  Kingdom  in  the 
wilderness,  and  many  were  added  to  the  Church  of  such 
as  should  be  saved." 

Cochrane,  iriiisloz^'  Osborne.  D.  D. — He  was  born 
Sept.  29th,  1854,  in  ^lecklenburg  Co.,  X.  C,  in  the 
bounds  of  Rack  Creek  church.  His  father,  William  Law- 
son  Cochrane,  was  a  successful  farmer  and  an  elder  in 
said  church.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Su- 
san McCaleb,  of  Tennessee. 

He  was  brought  up  on  the  farm,  but  did  not  learn  to 
love  farming.  His  dislike  for  it,  was  so  pronounced  that 
at  the  age  of  seventeen  his  father  decided  to  educate  him 
for  a  profession.  His  early  education  was  obtained  in 
the  district  school,  from  which  he  went  to  Erskine  Col- 
lege, where  he  graduated  with  honor  in  the  class  of  1877. 

He  entered  Erskine  Theological  Seminary  in  the  fall 
of  1877,  and  completing  his  course  was  licensed  by  the 
First  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  Sept.  ist,  1879,  at 
Amity,  N.  C,  Dr.  E.  E.  Boyce  officiating. 

The  following  December  he  was  sent  to  the  Kentucky 
Presbytery  to  supply  Xew  Hope  and  Ebenezer.  He  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  these  churches  Sept.  17th, 
1881.  This  relation  continued  until  Sept.  13th,  1884, 
when  it  was  dissolved  at  his  own  request,  he  having  de- 
cided to  transfer  his  membership  to  the  Southern  As- 
se'mbly  Presbyterian  Church.  It  was  during  his  pastor- 
ate that  the  Ebenezer  church  erected  a  new  and  handsome 
house  of  worship.  He  is  now  pastor  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Bristol,  Tenn.  The  degree  of  D.  D. 
was  conferred  upon  him  by  King's  Collcoe  of  that  place 
in  1900. 

Dr.  Cochran  married  I\Iiss  Macie  B.  Lee,  daughter  of 


lOO  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

Prof.  Jos.  F.  and  Martha  Brice  Lee  of  Due  West,  S.  C, 
June  27th,  1878.  To  them  were  born  five  children — four 
of  whom  are  still  living. 

Cochrane,  James  Brice. — Was  born  in  the  bounds  of 
Back  Creek,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C. ;  was  prepared  for 
college  at  Huntersville  High  School,  and  graduated  at 
Erskine,  1887.  One  year  was  spent  at  Erskine  Divinity 
Hall,  and  the  First  Presbytery  granted  him  license  on 
condition  that  the  course  be  completed  June  5,  1888.  That 
winter  a  course  was  taken  at  Allegheny  U.  P.  Seminary, 
Pa.  Mission  work  was  done  in  the  First  Presbytery  in 
the  spring  and  summer  of  1889.  On  the  24th  of  Oct., 
1889,  he  joined  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Cree,  John. — Was  born  in  Perth,  Scotland,  1754;  grad- 
uated at  Glasgow  University,  1778;  studied  divinity  in 
Associate  Hall,  under  Rev.  Wm.  Moncrief ;  was  licensed 
in  Scotland,  1786,  and  came  to  New  York,  1790,  and 
supplied  the  Associate  Church  in  the  city  for  a  time. 

He  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  Associate 
Presbyterian  congregation  of  New  York  City,  Oct.  12th, 
1792.  Resigning  this  charge  Oct.  ioth,  1795,  he  became 
pastor  of  Ebenezer,  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.,  1796.  This 
was  demitted  1803  ^.nd  July  5th,  1803,  New  Lebanon, 
West  Va.,  presented  to  the  Chartier's  Presbytery  a  call 
for  his  services.  This  was  declined  and  he  began  that 
year  the  stated  supply  of  Fairfield  and  Donegal,  West- 
moreland County,  Pa.  The  death  of  this  useful  and 
pious  pioneer  minister  of  the  Virginia  Presbytery,  of 
whom  we  would  love  to  know  more,  occurred  April  i, 
1806. 

Cms,  Goiidaluf^e. — Son  of  Sr.  Dominoo  Cruz  and 
Juanna  Guevara  was  born  on  the  12th  of  December,  1839, 
on  the  rancho  de  las  Palomas,  near  El  Maiz,  State  of 
San  Luis  Potosi.     Raised  in  the  Romish  Church,  as  a 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  loi 

child,  he  was  piously  inclined.  His  early  training  was 
sadly  neglected ;  he  never  went  to  school,  and  what  in- 
struction he  received  was  from  his  father,  and  by  read- 
ing such  books  as  he  could  from  time  to  time  obtain.  His 
father  was  being  educated  for  the  priesthood,  but  aban- 
doned his  purpose  on  account  of  the  dogma  of  celibacy 
practiced  in  the  Romish  Church. 

When  about  fifty  years  of  age,  Sr.  Cruz  became  in- 
terested in  the  Gospel  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  J.  S. 
A.  Hunter,  and  he  made  a  public  profession  of  faith  and 
was  baptized  at  El  Maiz  in  1890. 

In  that  same  year  he  began  a  course  of  study  under 
Rev.  J.  S.  A.  Hunter,  preparatory  to  work  as  an  evangel- 
ist. \fter  two  years  of  study  he  was  licensed  by  the 
Tampico  Presbytery  at  Chiconcillo,  State  of  Vera  Cruz  in 
1892.  He  labored  in  the  Italian  Colony  and  in  the  ad- 
jacent ranchos  for  about  seven  years.  He  was  ordained 
by  the  Tampico  Presbytery  at  Tampico  in  1895. 

In  1899  he  was  sent  to  Alequines,  State  of  San  Luis 
Potosi,  where  he  had  been  stationed  for  three  years.  He 
has  been  married  three  times.  The  present  wife,  Sra. 
Gila  Zalazar  de  Cruz,  was  before  marriage  the  teacher 
of  the  Girl's  School  for  several  years  at  Chiconcillo  and 
Palo  Blanco. 

He  is  most  zealous  in  his  endeavors  to  extend  the  Mas- 
ter's kingdom  and  his  most  effectual  work  is  done  from 
house  to  house,  reading  the  Scriptures,  and  in  conversa- 
tions. He  is  familiar  with  his  Bible  and  is  an  interesting 
laborer  in  this  pioneer  work. 

Cruz,  Rev.  Crcccnciano. — Son  of  Rev.  G.  Cruz  and 
Sra.  Juana  Zuniga,  was  born  at  Charco  Blanco,  in  the 
municipality  of  El  Maiz,  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  on 
the  14th  of  Sept.,  1875.  He  early  manifested  a  dispo- 
sition to  study  and  enjoyed  such  advantages  as  the  mu- 
nicipal schools  of  his  locality  offered.  From  a  child  he 
was  piously  inclined,  but  the  teachings  of  the  Catholic 


I02  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

Church  (Hd  not  appeal  to  his  heart.  He  was  blessed  with 
a  good  memory,  and  after  he  came  under  the  influence  of 
the  gospel,  he  would  commit  to  memory  whole  chapters 
of  the  Bible,  and  in  less  than  a  year  he  had  memorized 
the  entire  four  gospels. 

The  impressions  that  led  to  his  conversion  were  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hunter  at  El  Maiz,  where  he 
united  with  the  church  and  was  baptized  in  1891. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  he  was  sent  to  the  United 
States  and  entered  Huntersville  High  School  luider  the 
direction  of  Rev.  Dr.  W.  W.  Orr  to  learn  English.  After 
acquiring  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  English,  he  went  to 
the  Preparatory  School  at  Erskine  College,  and  pursued 
a  special  course  of  study.  On  the  completion  of  this 
course  he  entered  Erskine  Seminary  in  1896,  and  grad- 
uated with  the  class  of  1898.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
by  the  Second  Presbytery  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  at 
Generostee,  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C,  in  1898.  At  the  close 
of  his  training  he  returned  to  his  native  country,  being 
transferred  to  the  Tampico  Presbytery  in  Mexico.  Work 
was  assigned  him  at  Valles  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
State  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  which  he  began  in  1899.  and  at 
this  point  he  is  still  located. 

In  1900  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
try by  the  Tampico  Presbytery  at  its  annual  meeting  in 
Tampico.  Mr.  Cruz  is  an  earnest  preacher,  but  the 
bearer  of  Gospel  tidings  in  Mexico  has  so  much  opposi- 
tion that  his  congregation  is  small  and  the  work  hampered 
by  the  ignorance  and  fanaticism  of  four  centuries.  He 
wedded  Sra.  Enidina  Gonzalez  of  Valles  in  1900.  They 
have  no  children. 

Dale,  Mrs.  Katlicriiic  Xccl,  M.  D. — Heredity  and  en- 
vironment, two  recognized  agencies,  show  their  results 
in  the  development  of  character  and  fitness  for  active  life, 
as  well  as  in  the  growth  of  a  physical  organism.  It  has 
been    asserted   1)\-    the   author,    Oliver   Wendell    Holmes, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


103 


MRS.    DALE. 


that  the  time  to  begin  med- 
ical treatment  of  a  sick 
man  is  a  hundred  years 
before  his  birth.  If  this 
statement  is  accepted,  it  is 
reasonable  that  no  bio- 
graphy is  complete  without 
some  reference  to  ances- 
tors and  progenitors. 

:Mrs.      Katherine      Xeel 
Dale's      grandfather,      Dr. 
George     Pressly,     was     a 
noted  physician  of  his  day, 
as  well  as  a  pillar  in  the 
A.    R.    P-    Church.      She 
has   an   uncle   and   cousins 
in  the   same   profession.      Her   father   and   brother   are 
successful   physicians   and    an    honor    to   thcr    profes- 
sion •   and   it   was  natural  that  the  granddaughter  and 
daughter  of  phvsicians,  in  choosing  a  professional  life, 
should  be  inrtuenced  to  the  same  profession 

Mrs.  Katherine  Dale,  M.  D.,  is  the  daughter  of  James 
David  Xeel,  M.  D..  and  Margaret  Elizabeth  Pressly,  and 
was  born  at  Trov.  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  on  the  13th  of 
August,   .872.     At  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  she  was 
brouoht  to  Christ  and  identified  herself  with  the  Church 
of  h^r  fathers  at  Troy,  S.  C.    Her  i,rin,ary  education  was 
received  in  the  schools  near  her  home,  and  she  graduated 
from  Due  West  Female  College.  Due  West,  S    C.,  m 
,802      The  following  year,  she  dedicated  her  life  ami 
work  to  the  service  of  God  in  a  foreign  Af  ;"<">>  ,''^ 
Board  she  was  appointed  to  the  Mex.caH  field      Fedmg 
herself  called  to  the  Medical  XX'ork,  she  took  a  <""  ~";^^ 
at  the  Woman's  Medical  College,  Phdadelphia,  Pa.,  and 
was  graduated  in  1897.     She  spent  one  year  as  Resident 
PhvJ^cian  in  the  hospital  of  same  institution.     Eminently 
<,ualificd  for  the  <lischarge  of  her  .lu.ies  she  came  to  the 
scene  of  her  labors  in  .899.  selecting  El  Maiz.  m  the  State 


I04 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


of  San  Luis  Potosi,  Republic  of  Mexico,  where  her  sis- 
ter was  located,  as  her  temporary  home,  and  there  began 
the  study  of  the  Spanish  language.  From  the  beginning 
her  professional  services  were  sought  and  soon  she  was 
burdened  with  a  large  practice. 

On  the  30th  of  June  1900,  she  was  wedded  to  Rev.  J. 
G.  Dale  at  El  Maiz.  With  her  husband  she  is  located  in 
Villa  Fernandez,  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  and  is  actively 
engaged  in  her  profession.  The  afternoons  are  given  to 
charity  cases,  and  before  the  hour  for  this  work,  a  crowd 
is  gathered  awaiting-  the  opening  of  the  reception  room. 
Her  husband  avails  himself  of  the  opportunity  to  read 
some  appropriate  Scripture,  making  a  practical  applica- 
tion of  it,  then  a  prayer.  After  this  prayer  the  patients 
go  into  the  consulting  room,  one  at  a  time,  while  Mr. 
Dale  attends  to  their  spiritual  needs,  presenting  the  Gos- 
pel to  those  who  await  their  turn.  Dr.  Dale  has  a  wide 
field  and  large  opportunities  for  good,  and  she  is  doing  a 
good  work.  She  is  the  mother  of  two  children,  Jessie 
Dale  and  Belle  Dale. 

Dale,  Rev.  James  Gary. 
—Was  born  at  Oak  Hill, 
Ala..  June  21,  1870.  His 
parents  were  William 
Bonner  and  Sarah  Cole 
Dale. 

Religious  influences  of 
home  and  church  early  af- 
fected his  young  mind,  so 
that  his  parents  rejoiced 
to  see  him  developing  as 
a  beautiful  olive  plant. 

At  nine  years  he 
seemed  to  have  some  pre- 
sentiment of  his  future 
work.  He  selected  Rom.  5  :8  for  text,  and  prepared  a 
sermon,  fine,  perhaps,  for  a  boy.     His  selection  of  a  text 


J.     G.      DALE. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  105 

was  good,  and  gives  a  clue  to  what  was  then  preoccupy- 
ing his  soul. 

When  about  twelve,  he  joined  Bethel  Church,  under 
the  pastorate  of  Rev.  H.  M.  Henry. 

About  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  dreamed  that  he  was  for- 
ever lost,  which  produced  such  effect  upon  his  life  that  he 
fixed  it  as  the  date  of  his  conversion.  He  may  be  mis- 
taken. The  writer  never  likes  to  place  the  date  of  con- 
version after  ioinino-  the  Church,  for  it  leaves  the  latter 
important  act  in  life,  either  empty,  or  hypocritic.  The 
fear  of  being  lost  is  not  inconsistent  with  the  converted 
state,  nor  does  a  spiritual  change  for  the  better  always 
fix  the  date  of  conversion.  In  some,  the  new  life  begins 
so  early  and  gently  that  the  date  cannot  be  determined. 

Mr.  Dale  spent  several  years  in  school  at  Oak  Hill. 
During  1885-6,  he  attended  the  public  High  School  of 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  He  took  a  good  stand  in  Erskine  College, 
and  graduated  with  the  degree  B.   \.,   1892. 

He  attended  the  Moody  Bible  Institute,  Chicago,  1893, 
and  there  the  Holy  Spirit  convicted  him  of  spiritual  bar- 
renness, and  began  in  him  strivings  after  the  Christ  life. 

He  was  received  as  student  of  theology  by  the  Alle- 
gheny Presbytery  in  the  Sixth  U.  P.  Church  of  Allegheny, 
Pa.  He  pursued  his  studies  in  the  U.  P.  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  same  city. 

He  was  licensed  May  15,  1896,  by  the  Allegheny  Pres- 
bytery at  Oak  Grove,  Pa. 

The  Board  of  Home  Missions  selected  Mr.  Dale  as 
a  suitable  person  to  commence  mission  work  in  Columbia. 
S.  C.  He  entered  the  city  July  22,  1896.  On  the  26th 
he  preached  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Hall.  This  was  the  first 
public  service,  as  far  as  known,  celebrated  in  Columbia 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church. 

Rev.  Mr.  Dale  was  ordained  Sept.  22,  1896,  at  New 
Hope,  S.  C,  by  the  First  Presbytery. 

Although  giving  satisfaction  in  Columbia,  yet  he  felt 
constrained  by  the  spirit  to  go  as  a  foreign  missionary, 


io6 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


when  the  opportunity  offered.  At  Synod,  Chester,  S.  C, 
1898,  he  agreeably  surprised  the  brethren  by  offering  his 
services  under  direction  of  the  Board,  but  receiving  for 
support  what  God  might  give  him  through  voluntary  con- 
tributions. The  Synod  replied  by  standing  vote :  "That 
we  accept  with  gratitude  to  God  the  offer  of  Bro.  Dale  of 
himself  as  a  Foreign  Missionary,  and  pledge  him  our  most 
cordial  sympathy."  He  appeared,  Oct.  9,  1899,  in  Rio 
Verde,  Mexico. 

He  was  chosen  to  initiate  a  preparatory  and  theological 
seminary ;  which  he  opened  Jan.  14,  1902,  in  Rio  Verde. 

May  30,  1902,  Rev.  Mr.  Dale  entered  into  matrimony 
with  the  beautiful  and  accomplished  daughter  of  Dr. 
James  David  and  Margaret  Elizabeth  Neel.  She  was  then 
medical  missionary,  and  still  continues  the  functions  of 
her  chosen  profession.  God  has  given  them  a  son  and 
daughter  to  cheer  their  home  and  missionary  life.  They 
seem  to  be  just  entering  upon  a  long  career  of  usefulness. 


Davidson,  Robert  Clay- 
ton.— To  Robert  Quincy 
and  Jane  Elizabeth 

(Brown)  Davidson,  was 
born  a  son  July  i8th, 
1864,  in  New  Perth  con- 
gregation, Iredell  Co.,  N. 
%  "^^"W^W  V  ^"     ^^  honorable  and   pi- 

.(r^pP^^^^^  ous  parentage,  he  was  early 

^^^£         Jt^^^^^^       ^"'^^  conscientiously  trained 
^[j^H       ^^^^^^^B[       both         home   and   by 
^^^mj^^^^^^Kw  pastor.   Dr.   J.   E.    Pr^ssly. 

^^I^K^^^^^^r  His  decision,  at  22,  to  en- 

ter   the    ministrv    led    him 

K.      C.      DAVIDSON. 

to  seek  preparatory  trani- 
ing  under  his  uncle.  Mr.  A.  D.  Kestler,  and  his  brother- 
in-law.  Rev.  J.  M.  Gricr,  pastor  of  the  A.  R.  P.  congre- 
gation of   King's  Mt.,  N.  C.     Having  spent  four  }-ears 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  107 

in  Erskine  College,  he  graduated  in  1896,  and  two  years 
in  the  Seminary,  was  licensed  hy  the  Second  Presbytery 
April  (jth,  1898.  About  July  i,  1898,  he  was  sent  to  New 
Lebanon,  West  A  a.,  where  he  spent  some  two  months 
and  the  two  following  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  which  he  was  happily  married,  Nov.  10,  1898,  to 
Miss  Rebecca  Catherine  Williams,  of  New  Lebanon, 
West  \'a.  The  Second  Presbytery  ordained  him  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry  Jan.  26,  1899.  Supplying 
Moresville  and  Coddle  Creek.  Iredell  Co..  N.  C,  some 
time  previous,  he  was  installed  at  the  former  May  23rd, 
at  the  latter  May  24th.   1901. 

This  brother  is  cautious  and  ])rudent.  gentle  and  diffi- 
dent. With  fine  diction,  with  pleasing  manners,  with 
studious  habits  and  with  growing  pulpit  elocfuence,  these 
all,  crowned  with  a  love  of  souls  and  a  longing  to  save 
men.  open  before  him  a  bright  prospect. 

Dai'is,  Samuel  Pickens. — Son  of  Israel  Pickens  and 
Sarah  (Nisbet)  Davis,  was  born  Alay  30.  1817,  in  Wax- 
haw,  Union  Co.,  N.  C.  Studying  awhile  under  Rev.  R. 
C.  drier  at  Union  Academy,  he  spent  1838  at  Franklin 
College.  Columbia.  Tenn..  1839,  in  an  academy  near,  and 
entered  Erskine  College,  1840,  graduating  1842  in  the 
first  class. 

After  a  full  course  in  Erskine  Divinity  PTall  the  Second 
rVesbytery  granted  him  license  Sept.  2/.  1844.  Preach- 
ing that  winter  in  North  Mississippi  and  Tennessee,  he 
returned  in  Ma\-.  1845,  ^'""^^  took  in  Erskine  Hall  a  post 
graduate  course.  The  next  year  was  spent  preaching  at 
Harmony,  Edgefield  Co..  S.  C,  excejit  two  months. 
Synod  sent  him  to  north  Mississippi  in  the  fall  of  1846, 
the  Second  Presbytery  having  ordained  him  March  28th 
preceeding,  and  he  was  installed  jiastor  of  Ebenezer, 
Tippah  Co..  and  Shi]oh,  LaFayette  Co..  Miss.,  in  the  fall 
of  1847.  This  relation  was  dissolved  in  the  spring  of 
1850.  He  then  taught  for  some  ten  years  at  Lowndesville. 


lo8  SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS. 

Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  and  beginning  in  1859  for  a  few 
years  at  Hopewell,  Newton  Co.,  Ga.  He  enlisted  in  1864 
in  4th  Reg.  Co.  B  of  the  Georgia  Militia  and  served  till 
the  end  of  the  war.  Teaching  was  resumed  till  prevented 
by  cataract  of  the  eyes.  The  Synod  of  1871  sent  him  to 
north  Arkansas  for  one  year.  His  life  was  linked  Sept. 
l8th,  1845,  in  his  early  minstry,  with  Miss  Sarah  Eliza, 
sister  of  Rev.  D.  F.  Haddon.  He  resided  on  and  man- 
aged his  farm  in  Georgia  from  1859  till  June  11,  1896,  the 
death  of  his  wife,  when  his  home  was  made  with  his 
eldest  son,  Melville,  Covington,  Ga.  Here  being  tenderly 
cared  for  the  fifteen  months  of  his  last  sickness  he 
departed  this  life  Feb.  19,  1903. 

Davis,  Tlionias  Dickson. — Born  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C, 
Dec.  26,  1832,  was  a  son  of  Lusk  Davis  and  Margaret 
Crosby.  His  educational  opportunities  were  such  as  the 
country  afforded  at  that  time.  He  graduated  at  Erskine 
College  in  1856.  He  joined  Salem,  Tenn.,  A.  R.  church 
and  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology  at  Bethany, 
Lee  Co.,  Miss.,  September,  1856.  Studied  Theology 
two  years  at  Oxford,  and  one  at  Monmouth,  and  was 
licensed  to  preach  by  Memphis  Presbytery  at  Salem 
Church,  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  in  April,  1858.  Was  or- 
dained by  the  Kansas  U.  P.  Presbytery,  1861.  As  a  li- 
centiate he  ministered  in  Arkansas  and  Texas  about  nine 
months,  then  went  to  Kansas  and  preached  in  a  Mission 
four  years.  Then  was  pastor  of  Hopewell,  Perry  Co., 
Illinois,  four  years;  pastor  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  four  years; 
Providence,  Cass  Co.,  111.,  four  years ;  Camp  Point, 
Adams  Co.,  111.,  seven  years ;  Missionary  at  Large  in  the 
Upper  Peninsula  of  Michigan,  two  years ;  pastor  at 
Llopewell,  Otoe  Co.,  Nebraska,  seven  years,  and  pastor 
at  large  in  Topeka,  Kansas,  G.  A.  Presbyterian  Presby- 
tery, where  he  has  resided  for  ten  years. 

He  was  married  at  Camp  Point,  111.,  March  21,  1876, 
to    Miss    Ella    W.    Harrington,    a    daughter    of    Alfred 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS. 


109 


Loomis  Harrington  and  Julia  Augusta  Collins.  She  was 
born  in  Quincy,  111.,  Sept.  27,  1852.  She  has  borne  him 
two  children — a  son,  Alfred  C,  and  a  daughter, 
Edith  E. 

Dickson,  William. — Was  born  in  Ireland  about  1760, 
received  his  literary  and  part  of  his  theological  training 
in  Scotland,  studying  divinity  under  the  celebrated  John 
Brown  of  Haddington.  About  this  time  he  was  seized  by 
a  British  recruiting  ship  and  press  gang  on  passage  be- 
tween Ireland  and  Scotland.  Here  compelled  to  do  ser- 
vice as  a  common  sailor  for  several  months,  his  discharge 
was  at  length  secured  through  the  influence  of  an  Irish 
nobleman.  Emigrating  as  a  teacher  to  S.  C,  he  was  re- 
ceived by  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Ga., 
1794,  and  finishing  his  course  under  Rev  Peter  McMul- 
lan,  pastor  of  Due  West,  S.  C,  he  was  licensed  by  this 
court,  March  7,  1795,  their  first  licentiate.  Cedar  Springs 
and  Long  Cane,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  in  June  that  same 
year  solicited  his  services  as  stated  supply  on  Oct.  12. 
This  was  declined.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
of  Bethany  and  Sharon,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  and  Pisgah, 
Gaston  Co.,  N.  C,  June  5th,  1797. 

He  sympathized  with  Rev.  Peter  McMullan  when  sus- 
pended and  went  with  his  congregations  into  the  Associate 
Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  Sept.  2d,  1802.  In  his 
charge  including  Carmel  there  were  in  18 19  one  hundred 
and  fifty  families  and  three  hundred  and  fifty  members. 
In  this  large  parish  covering  a  large  part  of  York  Co.,  S. 
C,  and  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C,  this  devoted  minister  labored 
earnestly  and  successfully  till  the  infirmities  of  age  neces- 
itatcd  his  resignation,  IMarch  26th,  1828.  His  coronation 
day  was  Nov.  —  1831.  Father  Dickson  builded  wiser 
than  he  knew.  There  are  now  within  the  bounds  he  cul- 
tivated some  thirteen  Psalm  singing  congregations. 


no  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

Dickson,  Rcz:  Joseph  Alexander,  D.  D. — The  only 
child  of  Joseph  A.  Dickson,  M.  D.,  and  Nancy  Bell,  was 
born  in  Dickson  Co.,  Tenn.,  Sept.  9,  1835.  His  parents 
died  while  he  was  quite  young. 

He  graduated  from  Erskine  College  in  1854.  A'larried 
Miss  Mary  Katherine  McCain,  Sept.  15,  1855.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  William  Ross  and  Margaret  McCain,  of 
Salem,  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.  He  became  a  member  of 
Salem  Church  in  185 1.  His  theological  studies  were 
prosecuted  one  year  in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary. 

The  Memphis  Presbytery  received  him  as  student  of 
theology  Sept.  5,  1857,  licensed  him  at  Salem,  Tenn., 
April  24,  1858.  During  that  summer  he  preached  in 
Mississippi,  and  the  following  winter  continued  his  stud- 
ies under  direction  of  Rev.  John  Wilson.  He  was  or- 
dained at  Salem,  Tenn.,  at  a  called  meeting  of  Presbytery. 
Oct.  22,  1859.  He  supplied  vacancies  in  Holmes  and 
Madison  Counties,  Miss.,  in  '59  and  '60.  In  i860  he 
moved  to  Monticello,  Ark.  He  was  installed  pastor  of 
the  Church  at  that  place  in  1861.  This  relation  continued 
until  1866.  During  that  year  he  connected  himself  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A  part  of  his  con- 
gregation followed  him.  He  served  as  pastor  of  Presbyter- 
ian churches  in  Monticello,  Ark.,  Millersburg,  Ky.,  Pine 
Bluff,  and  Hot  Springs,  Ark. ;  received  the  degree  of  D. 
D.  from  Richmond,  Ky.,  and  represented  his  Church 
twice  in  the  Pan  Presbyterian  Council.  His  wife  died 
Feb.  6,  1892.  In  March,  1894,  he  married  Mrs.  Venie 
Triggerson,  who  died  July  6,  1902.  One  son,  E.  M. 
Dickson,  became  a  prominent  lawyer  in  Paris,  Ky. 

Douglass,  Rev.  James  Calvin. — Was  born  Feb.  2y, 
1866,  in  Fairfield  Co..  S.  C,  and  reared  in  New  Hope 
congregation.  He  was  a  son  of  John  S.  and  Margaret 
(Boyce)  Douglass.  He  received  his  classical  education 
in  the  University  of  S.  C,  and  Erskine  College.  He 
spent  the  year,  Oct.,  '95,  to  June,  '96,  in  Erskine  Theo- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


Ill 


J.     C.     DOUGLASS. 


logical  Seminary,  and  was 
licensed  by  the  First  Pres- 
bytery in  (iastonia.  X.  C, 
April  7,  1896.  In  June, 
'96,  by  the  direction  of  the 
Board  of  Home  Missions, 
he  began  supplying  the 
churches  at  Russellville, 
and  Zion,  in  the  Arkansas 
Presbytery.  On  the  23rd 
of  Oct..  he  accepted  a  call 
from  these  churches.  The 
Arkansas  Presbytery  or- 
dained and  installed  him 
pastor  at  Russellville,  Xov. 
13,  '96. 
He  was  installed  at  Zion  soon  afterward.  This  proved 
to  be  a  happy  and  prosperous  settlement,  but  was  unfor- 
tunately of  short  duration.  ]\Ir.  Douglass  took  sick 
while  at  Zion  on  his  monthly  trip,  returned  to  Russell- 
ville quite  sick,  and  died  a  few  days  later,  June  14,  1900. 
He  was  buried  a  tXew  Hope,  S.  C.  Xov.  3,  '97,  he  was 
happily  married  to  Miss  Willie  Kirkpatrick.  She  was 
a  graduate  of  the  Due  West  Female  College  of  the  class 
of  '92,  and  oldest  daughter  of  Rev.  A.  G.  Kirkpatrick, 
who  was  at  that  time  pastor  of  X'ew  Hope,  S.  C.  After 
her  husband's  death.  Mrs.  Douglass  associated  herself 
with  her  fatlier  in  the  management  of  a  school  for  girls  at 
Jones  Seminary,  All  Healing,  X^.  C.  The  Synod  in  1902 
at  Pisgah,  X.  C,  appointed  her  a  missionary  to  Mexico. 
He  was  buried  at  Xew  ITope.  S.  C,  Xov.  3.  '97,  he  was 
a  worker  full  of  zeal,  and  enterprise,  and  was  remarkably 
successful  in  winning  men.  He  had  a  winning  person- 
ality, and  was  a  fine  preacher — both  in  manner  and  mat- 
ter. He  seemed  to  hunger  for  souls  and  few  opportuni- 
ties to  reach  and  influence  the  unsaved  were  suffered  to 
escape  him. 


112  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

Echols,  Lemuel,  Isham. 
— Was  born  Dec.  23rd, 
1868,  near  Elk  Valley 
Church,  Lincoln  Co., 
Tenn.  His  parents  were 
William  J.  Echols  and 
Frances  Barnes  Echols. 
At  the  age  of  twelve  he, 
with  his  parents,  moved  to 
Ebenezer,  Lincoln  Co., 
Ark.  After  four  years, 
they  moved  again,  going 
to  Richland,  Navarro  Co., 
Texas.      He    enjoyed    lim- 

L.      I.      ECHOLS.  .  . 

ited  educational  opportu- 
nities in  the  common  schools.  He  studied  six  months 
under  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson,  and  then  taught  for  a  time. 
He  spent  a  year  at  the  South  Western  University,  George- 
town, Texas.  He  again  studied  privately  and  taught 
until  Sept.,  1894,  when  he  entered  Erskine  College. 

He  graduated  in  1897,  ^^^  was  received  as  a  student 
of  Theology  by  the  Texas  Presbytery  in  Sept.  1893  at 
Frisco  Church  near  Paris.  He  studied  Theology  at  Due 
West.  He  joined  the  Church  in  1883,  at  Ebenezer 
Church,  Ark.  He  was  the  first  student  licensed  under 
the  provision  of  Synod  allowing  licensure  at  the  end  of 
first  year.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  by  Second  Pres- 
bytery May  28,  1898.  He  preached  for  four  months, 
during  1896,  at  Chicota  and  Frisco,  and  then  returned  to 
the  college  and  seminary.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Texas 
Presbytery  at  Harmony,  Sept.  17th,  1897.  In  the  fall  of 
1897  he  labored  in  the  Kentucky  Presbytery,  remaining 
in  the  bounds  of  this  Presbytery  about  two  years.  On 
June  7th,  1899,  he  was  married  at  Due  West  to  Miss 
Margaret  Todd.  Tier  parents  were  James  R.  and  Jane  L. 
Todd.  She  was  born  at  Enoree,  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C,  Feb. 
7th,  1873.     They  have  one  child.     In  December  1900  Rev. 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS. 


113 


'■e,i 


MRS.     EDWARDS. 


Echols  began  preaching  at  Hopewell  and  Fairview  in 
Newton  Co.,Ga.  He  was  installed  pastor  January,  1902, 
continues  in  this  field,  where  his  labors  are  received  with 
great  acceptance. 

Edzvards,  Mrs.  Amelia 
Broivn. — Next  to  knowing 
a  true,  patient,  working 
woman  in  the  Lord's  ser- 
vice, is  the  satisfaction  ex- 
perienced in  knowing  the 
formative  influence  under 
which  she  has  devel- 
oped, the  difficulties  she 
has  overcome,  the  steps 
by  which  she  has  ad- 
vanced, and  the  elements 
that  are  working  to  suc- 
cess. 

To  satisfy  this  desire,  the  following  sketch  of  Mrs. 
Amelia  Brown  Edzvards  has  been  penned.  She  is  a 
South  Carolinian  by  birth,  her  home  being  in  Anderson, 
in  the  county  of  the  same  name.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
Elijah  Webb  Brown  and  Mary  Francis  Hubbard,  and 
was  born  the  i6th  of  September,  1869.  Mrs.  Edwards 
had  the  advantages  of  the  schools  in  Anderson,  and  grad- 
uated from  the  Anderson  Female  College  in  1886,  while 
Gen.  Luis  M.  Ayer  was  President  of  that  institution. 

While  yet  a  girl  she  identified  herself  with  the  G.  A. 
P.  Church  and  had  for  her  pastor  Dr.  D.  E.  Frierson. 
On  the  completion  of  her  college  course,  she  made  Art  a 
specialty,  prosecuting  her  studies  in  the  Anderson  Female 
College,  and  afterwards  in  New  York  City.  She  taught 
for  a  short  time  in  the  State  of  Texas,  whence  she  was 
chosen  teacher  of  Art  for  the  Due  West  Female  Colleore 
at  Due  West,  S.  C,  in  the  year  1891.  This  position  she 
filled  with  honor  and  credit  to  her  talent  for  two  sessions. 
8 


114 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


An  acquaintance  with  Rev.  John  R.  Edwards  during 
the  period  of  her  stay  at  Due  West  ripened  into  friend- 
ship, developed  into  love  and  culminated  in  marriage, 
and  Miss  Amelia  Ball  Brown  became  Mrs.  Edwards  on 
the  30th  of  October,  1893. 

A  few  weeks  after  this  happy  union  she  accompanied 
her  husband  as  a  missionary  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  to 
Mexico.  ]Mrs.  Edwards  is  an  ardent  supporter  of  the 
distinctive  principles  of  her  adopted  Church,  and  is  in 
hearty  sympath}'  and  active  co-operation  with  her  hus- 
band in  all  of  his  work. 

The  first  five  months  of  their  missionary  life  was 
spent  at  El  Maiz,  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi.  They  were 
assigned  to  Rio  Verde,  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi  by  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions  and  arrived  on  the  scene  of 
their  labors  the  loth  of  May,  1894.  As  soon  as  they  be- 
gan their  active  work,  the  condition  of  poor  children 
appealed  to  her  heart  and  one  girl  was  selected  and  then 
another,  until  an  orphanage  in  embryo  was  begun.  The 
want  of  means  and  a  home  was  all  that  circumscribed 
her  longing  to  do  more.  To  this  work  her  energies  and 
prayers  have  been  bent.  God  has  heard  these  prayers 
and  means  have  come,  and  a  lot  of  about  two  acres  has 
been  bought  and  donated  by  Rev.  J-  P-  Erwin.  An 
Orphanage  has  been  erected  on  it.  The  building  is  two 
stories  and  measures  40x45  feet,  the  gift  of  Mr.  E.  B. 
Chester  of  Rives,  Tenn.,  a  memorial  to  his  wife. 

In  this  Home  of  the  fatherless  are  twelve  girls,  the 
objects  of  her  daily  care.  Their  temporal  and  spiritual 
care  is  the  care  of  her  mother  heart. 

Mrs.  Edwards  is  the  mother  of  five  children :  John 
Roddy,  Frank,  Ralph  William,  Florence  Brennan  and 
Margaret  Virginia.  She  is  in  the  ])rime  of  life,  in  full 
vigor  and  truh-  consecrated  to  her  Christian  work. 

Edwards,  Joliii  Roddcy. — Son  of  Dr.  E.  H.  and  Mrs. 
A.   E.   Edwards,  liorn   near  Rock  LTill.   S.   C,   May  30, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


115 


1.     K.     EDWARDS. 


1867.  He  was  baptized  in 
infancy  by  Rev  L.  McDon- 
ald and  professed  Christ 
at  Dne  West,  S.  C,  Oct. 
16,  1 88 1.  A  graduate  of 
Erskine  College,  June, 
1888,  entering-  her  Divinity 

Second  Presbytery  licensed 
him  Sept.  20,  1890.  An- 
other year  was  spent  in  the 
Seminary,  the  course  being 
finished   June.    1891.      The 

Board  of  Home  Missions 
sent  him,  Nov.,  1891-Xov., 

1892,  to  the  important  ^Mission  of  Bartow,  Fla. 

The  Board  of  Foreign  ^Missions  assigned  him  the  high 
honor  of  missionary  in  the  Mexican  field  in  the  fall  of 

1893.  A  post  graduate  course  being  taken  at  Princeton 
he  reached  Mexico,  December,  1893.  After  a  residence 
of  five  months  with  Rev.  J.  S.  Hunter  of  Del  Maiz, 
a  new  mission  was  opened  up  at  Rio  Verde,  S.  L.  P.,  and 
he  entered  it  May  10,  1894.  Being  virgin  soil  for  Pro- 
testantism his  work  there  has  been  blessed.  Forty  have 
been  received  into  the  Church  and  four  infants  baptized, 
a  chapel  has  been  built  at  Rio  \^erde  and  one  at  Fernan- 
dez.   There  are  now  (1903)  17  families  and  32  members. 

On  the  30th  of  October.  1893,  he  was  happily  married 
to  Miss  Amelia  B.  Brown  of  Anderscm,  S.  C.  Soon  af- 
ter entering  the  field  her  heart  went  out  to  the  homeless 
orphans  and  in  an  huml)le  way  began  the  work  by  taking 
some  into  her  home.  Rev.  J.  P.  Erwin  of  Rosemark, 
Tenn.,  donated  a  plot  of  land  and  'Sir.  E.  B.  Chester  of 
Rives.  Tenn..  gave  $1,000  in  memory  of  his  sainted  wife 
and  the  llattie  May  Chester  Home  was  completed  early 
in  1903. 


Il6  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

Elder,  Matthezv. — Was  born  near  Cornwallis,  in  Ches- 
ter Co.,  S.  C,  one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Hopewell 
Church,  on  Jan.  3rd,  1813.  He  was  the  son  of  Mat- 
thew Elder  and  Jennie  jMcKay,  who  were  married  in 
County  Antrim,  Ireland,  and  came  immediately  to  this 
country. 

Mr.  Elder  was  reared  in  Hopewell  Church,  of  which 
his  parents  were  members.  His  preparatory  education 
was  received  in  the  schools  of  the  cofnmunity,  and  his 
collegiate  course  was  taken  in  the  State  University  of 
Indiana,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1840. 
He  had  the  ministery  in  view  even  in  his  college  course, 
for  the  last  year  he  was  in  the  University  he  studied 
Paul's  Epistles  in  Greek  under  Dr.  Wylie.  In  Jan.,  1841, 
he  began  teaching  school  at  Fishing  Creek  Church,  and 
studying  theology  privately  under  Rev.  Messrs.  Warren 
Flenniken  and  L.  McDonald. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  First  Presbytery  in  April,  1841, 
he  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology,  and  preached  a 
trial  sermon  which  was  sustained,  and  he  was  directed  to 
proceed  with  his  studies.  About  the  first  of  Jan.,  1842, 
he  went  to  Due  West,  S.  C,  and  continued  his  studies 
until  the  last  of  March,  when  he  was  stricken  down  by  a 
severe  spinal  affection,  from  which  he  never  recovered, 
and  which  laid  him  aside  from  the  active  work  of  the 
ministry.  He  was  at  times  a  great  sufiferer,  but  lived  to 
a  good  old  age,  respected  and  honored  by  all  who  knew 
him.  Most  of  his  life  was  spent  in  teaching,  and  he 
was  a  master  in  the  art,  and  a  fine  scholar.  He  left  his 
impress  on  many  young  men  and  women  of  his  day.  He 
died  at  his  home,  near  Guthriesville,  York  Co.,  S.  C.  Dec. 
15th,  1892,  and  is  buried  at  Cedar  Shoals  Church,  in 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C. 

Although  Mr.  Elder  was  never  a  licensed  minister, 
owing  to  his  bodily  afflictions,  yet  his  name  well  deserves 
to  be  treasured  in  this  volume,  for  the  Church  never  had  a 
truer  friend,  nor  one  more  loyal  to  her  jirinciples  than  he. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


117 


Ellis,  Augustus  Elmore. — Was  born  April  26th,  1826, 
near  Due  West,  S.  C.  He  was  the  son  of  John  Ely  and 
Elizabeth  Wright  Ellis.  He  was  one  of  seventeen  chil- 
dren, all  but  one  of  whom  lived  to  be  grown.  His  early 
educational  opportunities  were  fairly  good.  He  labored 
on  the  farm  more  or  less  until  he  entered  college.  He 
graduated  from  Erskine  in  1845.  Was  received  as  a  stu- 
dent of  theology  on  the  29th  of  March,  1845.  He  was 
licensed  to  preach  by  the  Second  Presbytery  at  Due  West, 
Sept.  14,  1846.  He  labored  for  a  time  as  a  domestic  mis- 
sionary in  Kentucky.  He  afterwards  became  pastor  of 
a  small  church  in  DeKalb  Co.,  Ga.  He  was  also  at  the 
head  of  a  flourishing  school  at  this  church.  He  went  to 
Georgia  in  1847  o^  '4^-  -He  preached  more  or  less  in  va- 
rious places  in  that  State.  He  married  Miss  Alary  Ann 
Ellis  Dec.  23rd.  1847.  She  was  the  daughter  of  John  L. 
and  Mahala  Ellis,  of  Due  \\^est,  S.  C.  vShe  w^as  one  of 
four  sisters  who  married  A.  R.  P.  ministers.  Mrs.  Ellis 
was  the  mother  of  four  children.  ?klrs.  Ellis  died  April 
2nd.   1809.     Her  Imsliand  died  Xov.  ist.   1855. 

Ellis,  Rcz'.  McClintock 
Todd. — Son  of  W.  T.  and 
Henrietta  (Carwile)  El- 
lis, was  born  May  12, 
1870.  three  miles  south  of 
Due  West,  S.  C.  He 
joined  the  church  of  Due 
West  on  his  13th  birthday. 
He  took  a  regular  course 
in  Erskine  College,  enter- 
ing the  Preparatory  de- 
partment Oct,  '85,  and 
graduating  June.  '91.  He 
completed  his  course  in 
the  Seminary  June,  '93. 
The  Second  Presbytery  licensed  him  May,  18,  "93.  From 
July,  '93,  to  Oct.,  '94.  was  stated  supply  of  Bloomington 


ii8 


SKETCHES     OE     MINISTERS. 


(Brighton),  P.eiilah,  and  Mt.  Paran  churches,  in  the 
^Memphis  Presbytery.  From  Oct.,  94,  to  Aug.,  '95,  sup- 
phed  Ora,  Providence,  Head  Spring,  (Laurens),  and 
Generostee,  in  the  Second  Presbytery.  August  and  Sep- 
tember, '95,  he  supphed  Prosperity  and  New  Hope,  in 
the  Arkansas  Presbytery.  Sept.  30  he  received  six  per- 
sons into  New  Hope  church,  his  first  converts.  The  Sec- 
ond Presbytery  ordained  him  Oct.  28,  '95,  and  the  Ar- 
kansas Presbytery  installed  him  pastor  of  Prosperity  and 
New  Hope,  Jan.'  25,  96.  He  was  happily  married  to 
Miss  Lois  A.  Murphy  at  Brighton,  Tenn.,  May  12,  '97, 
daughter  of  Rev.  H.  L.  and  Martha  (Hearst)  Murphy. 
He  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Arkansas  Presbytery,  April 
18th,  1896. 


End II,  John  Press! y. — 
Was  born  Feb.  20,  1845,  ""^ 
Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.  His 
father,  Davis  Erwin,  and 
his  mother,  Mary  Pru- 
dence Flenniken  (sister  of 
Rev.  Warren  Flenniken), 
had  but  lately  come  from 
their  native  State,  North 
Carolina,  and  Sardis  A.  R. 
P.  church.  Though  they 
were  almost  destitute  of 
means  when  they  reached 
Tennessee  and  could  bare- 
ly read  and  write,  they 
were  industrious  and  economical,  and  soon  obtained  a 
competency. 

Jno.  P.  was  a  muscular  }'outh,  ambitious  and  j^ersever- 
ing,  "a  bundle  of  energy,"  as  his  teacher  ])ut  it.  Fie  de- 
lighted in  boyish  s])orts  and  pastimes  and  was  diligent  as 
a  student.  I  le  had  but  little  opportunity  to  go  to  school 
until  his  19th  year. 


J.     p.    ERVVIN. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  119 

In  a  skirmish  at  New  Hope,  Ga.,  1864,  he  lost  his  right 
arm.  For  ten  months  he  worked  on  Saturdays  and  in  va- 
cation for  books  and  clothing.  At  the  end  of  this  period 
he  was  able  to  teach  a  common  school.  In  1866  he  was 
elected  Treasurer  of  Tipton  Co.,  and  held  the  office  for 
6  years.  He  merchandized  at  Porterville,  Tenn.,  from 
1870  to  1878,  when  he  removed  to  Atoka. 

On  Dec.  25,  1866,  he  was  happily  married  to  Nancy 
\\'ilson,  daughter  of  David  and  Mary  (McCreight) 
Wilson. 

When  about  12  years  old,  through  kind,  timely  words 
by  his  mother,  he  was  powerfully  convicted  of  sin  and 
soon  after  joined  Salem  Church.  It  was  about  this  time 
also  he  was  filled; with  a  desire  to  preach  the  Gospel,  but 
ignorance,  poverty,  nor  debts  and  ill-health  seemed  to 
bar  the  way.  Continuing  to  pray,  labor  and  wait,  God 
eventually  removed  the  obstacles.  In  the  spring  of  1884 
he  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology  by  the  Mem- 
phis Presbytery,  at  Bethany,  Miss.,  and  directed  to  study 
under  Rev.  J.  H.  Strong.  August  2d  following  he 
preached  his  first  sermon  and  his  first  trial  before  Presby- 
tery, at   Mt.   Paron. 

Entering  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
he  spent  one  }-ear.  In  the  fall  of  1885  he  was  licensed 
at  Shiloh,  Miss.,  by  Memphis  Presbytery  and  was  or- 
dered by  Synod  to  Arkansas  Presbytery.  He  preached 
for  a  while  at  Ebenezer,  in  Yell  Co.  He  was  called  to 
Ebenezer  and  was  ordained  and  installed  by  the  Arkansas 
Presbytery  in  1887.  He  served  thfs  congregation  till 
1892,  when  on  account  of  his  health  failing  he  gave  up 
his  charge.  Returning  to  his  farm  in  Tennessee,  and 
having  regained  his  health  in  ]xirt  he  lal)ored  at  ]\lt.  Car- 
mel,  INIiss.,  from  i8(j4  to  1899,  which  he  gave  up  on  ac- 
count of  poor  health. 

Mr.  Erwin  accunuilated  some  means,  and  has  been  a 
regular  and  liberal  contributor  to  every  enterprise  of  the 
Church  for  manv  vears.     He  is  an  advocate  of  the  tithe 


I20 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS. 


system,  but  now  gives  anuch  more  than  his  tithe.  His 
income  from  the  ministry  was  never  more  than  half,  and 
often  not  over  one  fourth  the  annual  expenditure,  and  yet 
he  has  always  had  plenty.  But  he  regrets  not  the  sac- 
rifice for  Him,  "who  hath  counted  him  worthy,  putting 
him  into  the  ministry." 

Ewart,  William  Cameron. — Rev.  W.  C.  Ewart  was 
born  at  Huntersville,  N.  C,  Sept.  19th,  1864,  and  is  the 
son  of  Robert  Knox  Ewart  and  Nancy  Ann  Beard.  En- 
tering Erskine  College,  he  graduated  in  June,  1892,  and 
having  joined  the  First  Presbytery  and  prosecuted  his 
studies  in  Erskine  Seminar}-,  he  was  licensed  by  the 
same  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  in  April,  1892.  He  was  or- 
dained and  installed  pastor 
^        ^  of  Edgmoor  and  Shiloh  in 

July,  1892,  and  continued 
pastor  of  these  churches 
for  a  little  over  four  years, 
when  he  gave  up  Edg- 
moor, and  was  called  to 
Lancaster  for  half  his 
time,  and  has  been  pastor 
of  Shiloh  and  Lancaster 
ever  since. 

Mr.  Ewart  was  married 
in  July,  1892,  to  Miss 
Lucia  W.  Reid,  of  Store- 
ville,  S.  C,  who  bore  him 
four  children,  and  died  in  August,  1900.  Mrs.  Ewart 
was  the  daughter  of  James  A.  and  Marilla 
Reid,  and  was  born  near  Abbeville,  S.  C,  Dec  31st, 
1871. 

He  was  married  the  second  time,  Nov.  12th,  1902,  to 
Miss  Rachel  Alice  Ross  of  Columbia,  S.  C.  She  was 
born  near  Sharon,  S.  C,  Jan.  5th,  1859.  and  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Rev.  R.  A.  Ross,  D.  D.,  so  well  known  in 
the  Church. 


C.     EWART. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  I2I 

Finley,  John  William. — He  was  the  son  of  James  and 
Mary  Ramsey  Finley,  and  was  born  July  17th,  1825,  in 
Shelby  Co.,  Ky.  Removed  with  his  father's  family  to 
Lincoln  County,  ]\Io.,  in  1829.  His  early  education  was 
received  in  the  common  school  near  his  home.  Took  a 
regular  college  course  in  the  University  of  Mis- 
souri,   and    graduated    from    this    institution    July    4th, 

1853- 

He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  Ken- 
tucky Presbytery  April  4,  1855,  at  Hinkston,  Ky.,  having 
already  spent  one  session  in  the  Theological  Seminary 
in  Alleghany,  Pa.  Studied  for  a  time  under  direction  of 
Rev.  S.  S.  Ralston  and  then  returned  to  Seminary  in  Al- 
leghany. He  w^as  licensed  by  the  Kentucky  Presbytery 
at  Clarksburg,  Ind.,  April  loth,  1857.  He  was  assigned 
work  among  the  vacancies  in  Tennessee,  Kentucky  and 
Missouri.  He  was  taken  sick  at  ]\'It.  Olivet,  Ky.,  and 
being  troubled  with  hemorrhage  from  the  lungs  w^as  ad- 
vised by  his  physician  to  give  up  public  speaking,  to 
which  he  reluctantly  assented.  He  was  given  a  certi- 
ficate :\Iay  /th,  1867,  to  connect  with  the  U.  P. 
Church. 

He  still  lives  at  Auburn,  ]\Io.  He  was  never 
married.  He  never  used  the  certificate  given  him 
by  the  Presbytery,  but  became  a  private  member 
of  Mt.  Zion  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  liberal  sup- 
porter. He  makes  his  home  with  his  nephew, 
R.  F.  Wilson,  three  or  four  miles  from  this 
church. 

Flcnniken,  U'arroi. — Rev.  Warren  Flenniken  w^as  the 
son  of  John  Flenniken  and  :Mary  Reid.  and  was  born  in 
Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  Jan.  9th.  1805. 

He  graduated  at  JeflFerson  College.  Pennsylvania,  in 
1829,  and  in  the  same  year  joined  the  First  Presbytery 
as  a  student  of  theology.  His  theological  course  was 
taken,   in   part,  under  each  of  the   following  ministers: 


122  SKETCHES     OF   .MINISTERS. 

Rev.  Isaac  Grier,  D.  D.,  Rev.  James  Lowrv  and  Rev. 
Samuel  Pressly.  He  was  licensed  in  November,  183 1, 
and  in  November,  1832,  was  ordained  and  installed  pas- 
tor of  Union  and  Hopewell  congregations,  in  Chester 
Co.,  S.  C.  In  1837,  he  demitted  the  Union  branch  of  his 
charge,  and  continued  to  labor  in  Hopewell,  until,  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health,  he  resigned  the  pastoral  charge  of 
Hopewell  in  1848. 

Until  the  fall  of  1850  he  was  able  to  preach  occasional- 
ly, but  after  that  time  his  disease,  consumption,  laid  him 
on  his  bed,  and  he  died  July  31st,  1851,  and  his  body 
lies  in  the  graveyard  at  Hopewell. 

Mr.  Flenniken  was  a  very  gifted  man  in  many  ways, 
and  as  a  preacher  was  very  popular,  and  was  always  a 
leader  in  all  good  works,  and  he  left  his  impress  on  the 
people  of  Hopewell,  which  lives  even  until  this  day.. 

Mr.  Flenniken  was  married  in  November,  1832,  in 
Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  to  Miss  Jane  Hearst  Pressly,  the 
daughter  of  Samuel  Pressly,  M.  D.,  and  Elizabeth 
Hearst.  She  was  born  in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  Feb.  14th, 
1812,  and  is  the  mother  of  six  children,  two  of 
whom  are  still  living.  Mrs.  Flenniken,  afterwards 
married  Mr.  Thos.  Torbit  of  Chester,  S.  C,  and 
after  his  death  she  removed  to  Winnsboro,  S.  C, 
and  makes  her  home  with  her  son,  W.  H.  Flenni- 
ken. At  this  writing  she  is  still  living,  at  the  good  old 
age  of  ninety-one  years. 

Gallo'-a'ay.  foiiatlian. — Was  born  Feb.  nth,  1810,  in 
York  Co.,  S.  C.  His  father  was  Alexander  Galloway, 
his  mother's  maiden  name  was  Miss  Mary  Milieu.  He 
enjoyed  good  educational  opportunities.  He  graduated 
from  Jackson  College,  Columbia,  Tenn.,  in  1830  or  1831. 
He  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology  Nov.  loth, 
1831.  Tie  was  received  by  the  ist  Presbytery  at  Hope- 
well, S.  C.  The  Synod  had  no  Theological  Seminary  at 
that  time;  he,  therefore,  studied  under  Dr.  John  Hem]> 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


123 


hill  and  Dr.  Isaac  Grier. 
He  was  licensed  at  Hope- 
well, Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  in 
1833,  in  company  with 
Rev.  Warren  Flenniken. 
He  did  some  missionary 
work  in  Tennessee.  He 
was  then,  in  1835,  called 
by  four  churches :  Head 
Springs,  King's  Creek, 
Prosperity  and  Cannon's 
Creek.  He  was  ordained 
Nov.,  1835,  and  in  April, 
1830,  he  was  installed.  He 
-'■    '■^'•'"^^•^''-  was  pastor  of  three  of  these 

churches  for  nineteen  years.  He  gave  up  his  pastoral 
work  on  account  of  declining  health.  On  the  4th  of  De- 
cember, 1838,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Speer,  a 
daughter  of  John  Speer,  of  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C.  Her 
mother's  name  was  Miss  Elizabeth  Caldwell.  The 
Speers  and  Caldwells  both  descended  from  a  distin- 
guished ancestry.  They  had  seven  children,  among  them 
Dr.  J.  C.  Galloway,  of  Gastonia,  X.  C,  and  Mrs.  Aviary  E. 
Giffen.  the  first  missionary  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church.  Mrs. 
Galloway  was  born  near  Lowndsville,  S.  C,  Aug.  i6th, 
1814.     She  died  at  Due  West,  May  23rd,  1896. 

Rev.  Jonathan  Galloway  was  a  distinguished  preacher 
in  his  (lav.  If  space  permitted  much  could  be  said  of  his 
ability  and  attainments.  Xo  less  was  he  noted  for  per- 
sonal piety.  The  conception  of  the  Due  West  Female 
College  originated  with  him.  He  longed  for  the  day 
when  the  daughters  of  the  Church  as  well  as  her  sons 
might  be  educated  under  her  intbiencc.  And  towards 
this  end  he  lal)ored  early  and  late.  His  labors  were 
crowned  with  success.  He  was  the  first^  person  chosen 
President  of  the  I'\'male  College.  r)Ut  on  account  of 
feeble  health,  he  declined.     He  died  March  3rd,  1879. 


124 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


Gallozvay,  Jonathan  Caldzvell,  D.  D. — Rev.  J.  C.  Gal- 
loway, D.  D.,  is  the  son  of  Rev.  Jonathan  Galloway  and 
Martha  Speer,  and  was  born  in  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C., 
July  7th,  185 1.  His  education  was  received  in  the  schools 
at  Due  West,  S.  C.,  graduating  from  Erskine  College  in 
1 87 1.  He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the 
Second  Presbytery  at  King's  Creek,  S.  C,  Aug.,  1871, 
and  prosecuted  his  studies  in  Erskine  Seminary,  being 
licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  at  Generostee,  S.  C, 

Sept.,  1873.  He  was  or- 
dained by  the  Second  Pres- 
bytery in  Thompson  St. 
Church,  Newberry,  S.  C, 
April,  1876.  The  first  year 
of  his  ministerial  life  was 
spent  in  Kentucky,  at  Eb- 
enezer  and  Flemingsburg, 
and  the  following  year  he 
took  a  post  graduate  course 
m  the  Seminary  at  Due 
West,  preaching  thereafter 
for  a  few  months  at  Lodi- 
mont,  S.  C,  and  Louis- 
ville, Ga.  In  April.  1876, 
he  was  sent  to  Louisville, 
Ky..  for  two, months,  to  get 
together  the  remnants  of  the  church  there.  In  May 
of  1878,  he  was  installed  over  Bethel  and  Louisville 
churches  in  Georgia,  and  continued  pastor  there  for 
about  eight  years.  In  Oct.,  1884,  he  was  sent  by  the 
Synod  to  take  charge  of  the  mission  in  Charlotte,  N.  C, 
and  spent  a  year  in  that  work.  In  Nov.,  1885,  he  was 
installed  over  Yorkville  and  Tirzah,  in  S.  C,  remaining 
pastor  of  these  churches  for  nine  years.  In  Dec,  1894, 
he  removed  to  Gastonia,  N.  C,  and  became  pastor  of 
Gastonia  and  Pisgah  churches,  giving  half  his  time  to 
each  church.     In  Januarv,   iQOi,  he  gave  up  the  Pisgah 


J.    C.    GALLOWAY,    D.    D. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


125 


branch  of  his  charge,  and  was  called  for  the  whole  of 
his  time  to  Gastonia,  where  he  still  remains. 

Mr.  Galloway  has  been  twice  married.  First,  to  Miss 
Josie  Brice,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  R.  W.  Brice, 
of  Hopewell,  S.  C.  They  were  married  Jan.  23rd,  1879, 
and  she  died  July  23rd,  1887,  leaving  three  children. 
The  second  marriage  was  to  ]\Iiss  Blanche  McKemy,  of 
Monmouth,  Va.,  June  6th,  1889.  Mr.  Galloway  re- 
ceived his  deg-ree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  Erskine 
College  in  1898.  He  edited  "The  Life  and  Letters  of 
Airs.  Giffen."  Airs.  Giffen  was  his  sister  and  the  pioneer 
foreign  missionary  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  South; 
and  by  the  appointment  of  Synod  he  is  the  editor  of  the 
"Centennial  \*olume."  He  has  represented  his  church 
at  the  meeting  of  the  United  Presbyterian  General  As- 
sembly as  fraternal  delegate,  and  also  as  a  delegate  to 
the  Pan-Presbyterian  Council. 

He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  the  College, 
the  Seminary,  and  Home  Missions,  and  is  at  present  the 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Seminary, 
and  of  Home  Missions. 

Galloicay,  Robert  Milieu. — Was  born  in  York  County, 
S.  C,  December  25,  1796.  His  mother's  name  was  Mary 
Alillen  and  his  father's  Alexander  Galloway. 

He  graduated  at  the  University  of  Xorth  Carolina  in 
1820,  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  in  the  fall 
of  1822,  and  licensed  in  fall  of  1824.  He  was  sent  im- 
niediately  to  Tennessee.  He  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  Hopewell  and  Union  in  Alaury  Co.,  Tenn.,  in 
the  summer  of  1825.  Revs.  Wm.  Blackstocks  and  Isaac 
Grier  riding  on  horseback  some  500  miles  to  officiate. 
He  had  charge  of  Hopewell  for  a  number  of  years  and 
was  pastor  of  that  church  at  the  time  of  his  death.  In 
September.  1839,  he  domitted  the  Union  branch  of  his 
charge. 

He  was  INIoderator  of  Svnod  at  Bethel,  Ga.,  in  1828. 


126  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

The  Presbytery  of  Tennessee  was  organized  at  Salem, 
Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  April  24,  1837,  and  with  this  Presby- 
tery he  and  his  congregation  became  connected.  His 
Synod  and  Presbyter}-  were  both  to  meet  at  his  church  in 
October,  1840.  But  in  the  strange  providence  of  God, 
during  the  sessions  of  the  Presbytery  and  three  days  be- 
fore the  meeting  of  Synod  he  was  introduced  to  a  higher 
court.  The  Report  of  the  Tennessee  Presbytery  to 
Synod  contains  the  following  minute  :  "On  this  evening 
our  beloved  brother,  R.  M.  Galloway,  departed  to  the 
world  of  spirits.  He  appeared  to  leave  us  in  the  tri- 
umphs of  the  Gospel  he  had  preached  to  others.  Some 
few  days  ago  he  remarked  to  one  of  our  number  that  he 
longed  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ  and  had  no  desire 
to  remain  except  to  be  useful  to  his  family  and  people. 
The  Presbytery  being  constituted  we  adjourned  and  went 
immediately  to  his  house  where,  wdth  feelings  of  the 
highest  sympathy,  accompanied  with  Christian  resigna- 
tion we  witnessed  his  departure.  We  feel  that  we  have 
lost  a  friend  and  brother  and  yet  he  is  not  lost,  for  'he 
being  dead  yet  speaketh.'  "  He  died  Oct.  9,  1840,  and 
was  laid  to  rest  in  Hopewell  cemetery.  He  was  loved 
and  respected  by  his  congregation  and  friends  generally, 
and  was  a  devoted  Christian. 

He  was  married  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Bryson  of  Lin- 
coln Co.,  Tenn.,  to  Miss  Eliza  Ann  Leetch,  a  daughter 
of  James  Leetch,  a  native  of  Ireland  who  came  to  North 
Carolina.    She  was  born  Jan.  6,  181 1,  and  died  Jan.  13, 

1873- 
There  were  four  children  born  to  them.     James  Millen, 

born  Sept.  26,  1830,  a  minister  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  44  years  of  his  life,  died  Dec.  3,  1898. 
Mary  Ann,  died  in  infancy.  Samuel  Marcus,  born  June 
4,  1835,  died  Oct.  2,  1837,  near  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
Sarah  Jane,  born  April  12,  1839,  the  only  surviving 
member  of  the  family.  She  is  now  Mrs.  J.  IP  McLean 
of  Shawn  Mound.  Ilcnry  Co.,  Mo. 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


127 


Garrison,  James  Mack. — Rev.  J.  ^l.  Garrison  is  the 
son  of  Samuel  A.  Garrison  and  Elizabeth  J.  Hunter, 
and  was  born  in  Mecklenburg  Go.,  X.  G.,  ]\Iay  ist,  i860. 
He  graduated  at  Erskine  Gollege  in  1888,  and  in  Sep- 
tember of  the  same  year  was  received  as  a  student  of 
theology  by  the  First  Presbytery  at  Xew  Stirling,  X. 
G.  His  theological  course  was  taken  at  Erskine  and  at 
Princeton  Seminary,  and  he  was  licensed  by  the  First 
Presbytery  at  King's  Mountain,  X.  C,  April  8th,  1890. 
^^figg^  In    Jan.,    1892,    he    was 

^0^  called   to  be  pastor  of  the 

W^  m  church    at    King's    Moun- 

%      >#    0^  tain,    X.    G.,    and    was   or- 

^»4  \  .M  dained  and  installed   April 

27th,  1892.  He  has  been 
pastor  there  for  eleven 
years,  and  during  the  time 
the  church  has  grown  and 
prospered  ;  they  have  built 
an  elegant  modern  church 
and  provided  a  comfortable 
manse  for  the  pastor. 
Mr.  Garrison  was  mar- 
M.  GARRISON.  ^icd  Scpt.  7th,  1892.  iu  thc 

church  at  Broad  Greek,  \'a..  to  Miss  Francis  Xair,  the 
daughter  of  George  William  and  ]\Iargaret  Jane  X^air. 
Mrs.  Garrison  was  born  in  Rockbridge  Go.,  \'a.,  Aug. 
1st,  1864. 


Giffcn.  Mrs.  Mary  GaUoivay. — Daughter  of  Rev.  Jona- 
than and  Martha  Speer  Galloway,  was  born  in  X^ewberry 
County,  S.  G.,  Dec.  8th,  1842.  Her  early  education  was 
secured  in  the  common  schools,  and  later  in  a  high  school 
in  the  town  of  X'^ewberry,  under  the  tuition  of  Prof.  Wil- 
liam Hood.  Even  in  childhood  she  gave  evidences  of 
that  mental  alertness,  dilig-ent  application,  thoroughness 
and  love  of  knowledge  whicli  ciiaracterized  her  maturer 
years. 


128  SKETCHES    OE    MINISTERS. 

On  account  of  throat 
affection,  Rev.  Jonathan 
Galloway  was  forced  to  re- 
sign his  pastorate  in  1857, 
and  soon  afterwards  re- 
moved to  Due  West,  that 
he  might  avail  himself  of 
the  institutions  there. 

The  subject  of  this 
sketch  entered  the  junior 
class  in  the  Due  West  Fe- 
male College,  then  under 
the  presidency  of  Dr.  J.  I. 
Bonner.      At    the    age    of 

MRS.     GIFFEN.  , 

eighteen  she  graduated 
from  this  institution,  having  won  the  highest  distinctions 
and  leaving  behind  a  record  of  unusual  excellence  in  all 
departments  of  study.  But  her  education  was  not  finished ; 
it  was  only  fairly  begun.  The  foundation  was  laid 
upon  which  she  continued  to  build  through  life  a 
superstructure  of  large  and  fair  proportions.  With 
an  unsatisfied  craving  for  knowledge  her  mind  sought 
communion  with  the  noblest  and  best  spirits  in 
literature.  Her  contributions  to  the  press,  which 
began  in  early  womanhood,  gave  evidence  of  a 
breadth  of  information  and  refinement  of  culture 
that  commanded  general  attention  and  excited  enthusi- 
astic admiration. 

Mrs.  Gififen's  religious  life  began  in  1864,  or 
at  least,  this  is  the  date  of  her  profession  of  faith 
and  connection  with  the  Church.  The  cultivation 
of  her  soul  was  entered  upon  with  the  same  ardor 
that  had  characterized  the  discipline  of  her  mental 
faculties.  She  became  a  diligent  student  of  the 
Bible  and  of  other  books  that  make  plain  the 
way  of  life.  A  meagre  and  superficial  knowledge 
of     divine     truth     did     not     content.       She     earnestly 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  129 

sought  for  a  full,  clear,  satisfying  theoretical  and 
experimental  knowledge  of  the  truths  and  doctrines 
of  God's  word.  And  as  a  result  of  her  ardent 
search  there  was  a  rapid  growth  in  the  knowledge  of 
divine  truth,  and  a  beautiful  and  symmetrical  de- 
velopment of  Christian  character.  The  love  of 
Christ  laid  a  mighty  constraint  upon  her,  and 
she  eagerly  sought  to  find  some  service  by  wdiich 
she  might  express  her  love  for  Him.  Just  at  this 
juncture  she  was  providentially  led  to  read  biogra- 
phies of  some  of  the  eminent  missionaries  in  for- 
eign lands,  and  her  sympathies  were  deeply  moved  for 
the  millions  in  heathen  lands. 

Scarcely  had  the  clouds  of  civil  war  lifted  when 
she  began  zealously  to  seek  appointment  to  foreign 
missionary  service.  The  Associate  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian Church  was  so  disorganized  and  impov- 
erished by  the  war  that  the  thought  of  embarking 
in  foreign  mission  work  could  not  be  entertained. 
Application  was  therefore  made  to  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  for  the  appointment,  but  there 
was  no  opening.  Accepting  this  as  a  providential 
indication  of  the  divine  wall,  ]\Irs.  Gififen  decided 
to  devote  her  life  to  teaching,  and  at  once  began 
to  execute  this  purpose.  Her  success  in  the  school- 
room was  marked.  To  this  work  she  dedicated 
without  reserve  all  her  splendid  resources  of  mind 
and  heart.  Exact  scholarship,  unflagging  energy, 
an  ardent  temperament,  an  enthusiastic  love  of 
truth  and  a  power  to  excite  it  in  others —  these  fur- 
nished an  equipment  that  insured  success  of  no  ordi- 
nary kind. 

She  was  still  teaching  in  Texas  and  forming 
large  plans  for  missionary  work  among-  the  needy 
and  neglected  population  of  the  far  Southwest 
when  the  call  came  to  become  the  representative 
of    her    denomination    in    Egypt    in    co-operation    with 


I30 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS. 


the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  magnitude 
of  the  work  and  the  sacrifices  which  it  demanded 
might  well  have  seemed  appalling.  It  is  impos- 
sible for  us,  with  conditions  so  greatly  changed, 
to  see  the  matter  from  her  point  of  view.  But  when 
convinced  that  the  call  was  from  God  she  hes- 
itated no  longer.  Her  decision  lacked  nothing 
of  the  heroic,  and  it  sent  a  thrill  of  joy  and 
admiration  to  the  furtherest  extremes  of  the  Church. 
An  interest  in  foreign  missions,  such  as  had 
never  been  known  among  us,  was  speedily  mani- 
fested. That  decision  marked  an  epoch  in  the 
history  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church ;  it  was 
the  beginning  of  a  new  age.  The  impulse  given 
to  the  cause  of  missions  by  the  hand  of  wo- 
man is  still  felt  in  our  little  Zion.  May  it  never 
wane ! 

On  Feb.  lo,  1875,  Mrs.  Giffen,  with  two  other  mission- 
aries, Messrs.  Giffen  and  Alexander,  took  ship  at  New 
York.  On  the  voyage  across  the  Atlantic,  on  the  journey 
across  the  continent  of  Europe,  and  during  the  year  of 
missionary  service,  she  sent  frequent  letters  to  the  x-Vs- 
sociate  Refortned  Presbyterian.  These  letters,  edited  by 
her  brother,  Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway,  D.  D.,  have  been 
published  in  one  volume  under  the  title  "Life  and 
Letters  of  Mrs.  Giffen."  They  are  splendid  specimens  of 
epistolary  literature. 

Of  Mrs.  Giffen's  missionary  labors  little  can  be  said 
here.  After  the  remarkably  short  period  of  eight 
months  in  the  study  of  the  language,  she  began  work  in 
the  schoolroom  at  Mansoora,  and  for  six  years  devoted 
herself  with  unsparing  diligence  and  fidelity  to  the  cause 
to  which  she  had  dedicated  her  life.  The  larger  part  of 
this  period  was  spent  in  educational  work  at  Asyoot. 

She  was  married  June  5th,  1876,  to  Rev.  John  Giffen 
Three  children  were  born  to  them.  Bruce  J.,  who  has 
now  taken  up  his  mother's  fallen  mantle  and  is  a  mission- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


131 


ary  in  Egypt ;  Margaret  S.,  now  Mrs.  Fred  Phifer,  of 
Statesville,  X.  C,  and  ]\Iarion  G.,  at  present  a  student  in 
Erskine  College. 

Mrs.  Giffen  fell  on  sleep  at  Cairo,  Oct.  i6th,  1881,  and 
her  dust  rests  in  the  land  for  which  she  gave  her  life, 
awaiting  "the  resurrection  of  the  Just." 

Good,  John  Walter. — Son  of  James  Alexander  and 
Martha  ]\Iinerva  Good,  was  born  Feb.  13,  1879,  near  Ar- 
gyle,  Tenn.  At  the  age  of  ten  he  made  a  profession  of 
religion  at  Prosperity,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.  At  the  age 
of  17  entering  the  Training  School  of  Prof.  R.  K.  ]\'Ior- 
gan,  Howell,  Tenn.,  a  three  years"  course  was  taken.  A 
two  years'  course  was  taken  at  Erskine  College,  where 
his  degree  of  A.  B.  was  taken  June,  1902.  Prior  to  this 
he  taught  a  year  with  Profs.  ^Morgan  and  Peoples  in  Fay- 
etteville,  Tenn. 

Leaving  the  farm  at  17  he  supported  himself  in  his 
preparation  for  the  seminary  in  Due  West,  where  he  is 
pursuing  his  studies. 

Gordon,  Gilbert. — The  oldest  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
]\IcCurry  Gordon,  was  born  in  Elbert  County,  Ga.,  Dec. 
13th,  181 1.  His  early  days  were  spent  in  the  quiet  se- 
clusion of  his  father's  farm  near  the  Savannah  River. 
The  parents  were  members  of  Generostee  A.  R.  church, 
across  the  river  from  his  home  in  Anderson  County,  S.  C. 
He  was  brought  up  with  pious  care,  and  in  due  time  be- 
came a  member  of  the  same  church. 

His  classical  education  was  obtained  in  ]\Iiami  Univer- 
sity, where  he  graduated  in  1836.  He  studied  Theology 
in  the  Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  and  was  licensed 
by  the  Second  A.  R.  Presbytery  April  4th,  1840.  He 
visited  and  preached  in  the  vacant  churches  in  the  West 
until  Oct.,  1841.  when  he  was  sent  by  Synod  to  Ken- 
tucky with  his  brother.  Rev.  N.  AL  Gordon.  They  were 
sent  in  answer  to  a  petition   for  supplies  of  preaching 


132  SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS. 

from  churches  in  Bath  and  Jessamine  Counties,  which 
had  withdrawn  from  the  Synod  of  the  West  on  account 
of  differences  on  the  subject  of  slavery.  In  December 
of  the  following  year  a  Presbytery  was  organized  in  con- 
nection with  the  Synod  of  the  South.  March  4th,  1843, 
he  received  a  call  from  Mt.  Olivet  in  Bath  County,  which 
he  accepted  and  was  installed  as  pastor  on  Saturday  be- 
fore the  Fall  Communion  service,  the  same  year.  In 
1847,  for  several  years,  he  supplied  the  Church  at  Flem- 
ingsburg,  and  also  organized  a  church  at  Clarksburg, 
Ind.,  Sept.  8th,  1848,  which  he  continued  occasionally 
to  supply.  The  pastoral  relation  with  Mt.  Olivet  was 
dissolved  Sept.  loth,  1852.  At  the  same  meeting  of  Pres- 
bytery he  was  authorized  to  begin  preaching  in  Louis- 
ville, and  on  Jan.  6th,  1854,  a  church  was  organized 
there.  He  was  appointed  by  Presbytery  to  solicit  funds 
in  the  other  churches  to  assist  in  building  a  house  of  wor- 
ship. Much  of  his  time  was  occupied  in  this  work.  A 
call  was  made  out  for  him  and  he  was  installed  as  pastor 
Dec.  i6th,  1859. 

Becoming  dissatisfied  with  the  prospects  of  the  church, 
he  with  a  majority  of  the  ministers  of  the  Presby- 
tery, changed  his  connection  and  joined  the  Southern 
Presbyterian  Church  on  Oct.  13th,  1870.  He  jmission- 
ated  among  the  churches  in  McHenry  County,  and  also 
at  Lagrange  and  Westport.  Then  removed  to  Florida 
and  died  at  Orlando  on  the  loth  of  August,  1887. 

Mr.  Gordon  married  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Peter  Montfort,  Oxford,  O.,  in  1842.  They  had  no 
children,  but  adopted  one,  who  is  now  Rev.  C.  M.  Gordon 
of  Wallace,  Va.  Mrs.  Gordon  died  July  5th,  1901.  Mr. 
Gordon  was  editor  of  the  "Scottish  Presbyterian,"  a 
monthly  periodical,  published  first  in  1859  and  running 
through  several  years.  His  grand  parents  came  to  this 
country  from  Scotland.  He  was  financially  successful 
and  had  great  influence  with  the  people  among  whom  he 
labored. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  133 

Gordon,  Xcal,  McDougal. — ^^'as  the  son  of  John  and 
Sarah  Margaret  McCurry  Gordon,  and  was  born  Nov. 
13th,  181 3,  in  Elbert  County,  Ga.  With  his  father's  fam- 
ily he  attended  church  at  Generostee,  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C, 
of  which  he  became  a  member  early  in  life. 

He  was  of  delicate  constitution  from  his  childhood. 
His  nervous  temperament  and  (|uick  temper  was  more 
than  overbalanced  by  his  generous,  affectionate  disposi- 
tion. He  was  naturally  fond  of  books,  which  his  pa- 
rents encouraged,  and  was  given  the  best  opportunities 
the  common  schools  afforded.  Entering  Miami  Univer- 
sity, Oxford,  O.,  he  graduated  there  with  the  honors  of 
his  class  in  1836,  and  soon  afterwards  began  the  study 
of  Theology  in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  Due 
West.  S.  C.  In  1839  he  was  elected  Professor  of  Lan- 
guages in  Clark  and  Erskine  Seminary,  in  which  position 
he  served  only  one  year.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Sec- 
ond xA..  R.  Presbytery  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  just  after 
a  meeting  of  Synod  at  Bethel,  Tenn.,  Oct.  8th.  1840,  and 
ordained  by  the  same  Presbytery  Oct.  13,  1841,  in  North 
Carolina. 

The  first  year  after  his  licensure  was  spent  among  the 
vacant  churches,  about  six  months  being  at  Hopewell, 
Maury  Co.,  Tenn.  In  October,  1841,  he  was  sent  to 
the  destitute  churches  in  Kentucky,  which  field  he 
reached  Dec.  5th,  1841.  He  was  installed  as  pastor  of 
Ebenezer,  May  13th,  1843,  and  Shelbyville  Aug.  i6th. 
1843.  In  1846  he  sought  release  from  the  Shelbyville 
branch  of  his  charge,  but  Presbytery  did  not  grant  it. 
This  relation  was  continued  until  Oct.  13th,  1870.  In 
1846  he  was  apjicMuted  by  his  Presbytery  delegate  to  the 
■  Presbyterian  Council,  which  met  in  London,  l^ngland. 
which  meeting  he  attended. 

In  1848  the  Synod  attempted  to  train  colored  men  to 
be  sent  as  missionaries  to  Africa.  Three  young  men 
were  placed  in  school  for  that  purpose  and  Rev.  N.  M. 
Gordon  was  ]-)ut  in  charge  of  the  school  at  his  home  in 


134 


SKETCHES     OE     MINISTERS. 


Jessamine  Co.,  Ky.  Two  of  the  boys  proved  to  be  moral- 
ly and  one  intellectually  unfit  for  the  work,  and  the  effort 
was  abandoned  in  1853,  and  never  revived. 

Oct.  13th,  1870,  j\Ir.  Gordon  with  the  majority  of  his 
congregation  changed  his  Church  connection  to  the 
Southern  Presbyterian  Church.  His  death  occurred 
shortly  afterwards  for  he  died  March  19,  1871. 

Mr.  Gordon  was  a  man  of  deep  piety  and  solid  literary 
attainments.  In  1856  he  published  "Alleghan,"  a  poem 
in  nine  books.  In  1864  he  published  a  pamphlet  entitled 
"The  Purpose  of  the  Book  of  Psalms."  He  was  an  able 
minister  of  the  Word. 

Mr.  Gordon  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was 
Martha  Jane  Harris.  He  was  married  at  the  home  of  her 
brother,  Henry  Harris,  Maury  Co.,  Tenn.,  Nov.  18,  1841. 
She  died  in  Kentucky,  Nov.  8th,  1845,  ^"<^^  ^^^t  no  chil- 
dren, her  only  child,  a  daughter,  having  died  in  1844. 

He  was  married  again  Jan.  ist,  1849,  to  Catherine, 
daughter  of  Dr.  James  Smith,  a  prominent  minister  in 
the  Cumberland  and  afterwards  in  the  Old  School  Pres- 
byterian Church.  She  became  the  mother  of  six  chil- 
dren.    She  died  Nov.  9th,  1888. 

Griffith,  Rez'.  Aaron 
Henderson. —  Oldest  son 
of  J.  Walker  and  Lula  I. 
(Grier)  Grifiith,  was  born 
Aug.  14,  1875,  in  Meck- 
lenburg Co.,  N.  C,  in  the 
bounds  of  Ebenezer  con- 
gregation. He  received 
his  education  in  Erskine 
College.  He  taught  school 
one  year,  after  his  Junior 
year  in  the  Seminary, 
1899.  Me  graduated  from 
the  Seminary  at  Due  West, 
S.    C,    June,    1900.      The 


U.     (.KIFFITH. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


135 


First  Presbytery  licensed  him  at  Pisgah,  N.  C,  ]\Iay  8, 
1900.  From  June  to  Oct.,  1900,  he  supphed  Hickory 
Spring  and  Shady  Grove,  in  the  Arkansas  Presbytery, 

He  was  ordained  by  the  First  Presbytery  in  Charlotte, 
N.  C,  Dec  .11,  1900.  Under  direction  of  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions,  he  took  up  the  work  in  Little  Rock  and 
Jacksonville,  Ark.,  Dec.  20,  1900.  The  Mission  pros- 
pered, and  in  Oct.,  1902,  the  Little  Rock  church  pre- 
sented a  call  for  his  pastoral  services,  asking  for  all  liis 
time.  This  call  was  accepted  and  he  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  Little  Rock  church  Dec.  3,  1902. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Eva  Lee  Prather,  of  Little 
Rock,  Dec.  25,  1901. 

He  is  a  vigorous,  earnest  preacher  and  has  been  unus- 
ually successful  in  building  up  the  work  committed  to 
him  by  the  Synod. 

On  Jan.  25th  he  was  granted  a  certificate  to  connect 
with  the  U.  P.  Church,  and  is  at  present  laboring  in 
Oklahoma  City,  Ok. 


E.    F.    GKH^FITH. 


High  School,  under  Dr.  Orr 


Griffith,  Eli  Franklin. 
— Son  of  Charles  Franklin 
and  Harriet  Amanda  (Ba- 
ker )  Griffith,  was  born  four 
miles  south  of  Charlotte, 
N.  C.  Feb.  22,  1866.  At 
17,  after  much  prayer  and 
Bible  study,  feeling  a  deep 
yearning  to  preach  Christ, 
that  call  was  answered  by 
the  necessary  preparation. 
A  session  and  a  half  was 
spent  in  the  Charlotte 
Graded  School  and  two 
sessions  in  HuntersviHe 
Entering  Erskine  College 


in  1888,  he  won  his  diploma  in  1802.  Tn  addition  to  his  lit- 


136  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

erary  course,  a  full  term  of  divinity  was  taken  at  the  same 
time,  and  the  Presbytery  granted  him  license  to  preach 
April  6th,  1892.  His  first  work  was  from  July  to  Nov. 
that  year  at  Broad  Creek,  A'a.,  then  five  months  following 
in  the  Memphis  Presbytery.  On  July  25th,  1893,  the 
Virginia  Presbytery  ordained  and  installed  him  pastor 
of  Ebenezer,  Va.,  and  over  Timber  Ridge  the  14th  of 
Oct.  following.  This  charge  was  demitted  Nov.  i8th, 
1896,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  Edgmoor,  S.  C,  Dec. 
29,  1896.  This  congregation  being  demitted  Nov.  i, 
1898,  he  labored  as  stated  supply  of  Gilead  and  Moores- 
ville,  N.  C,  the  succeeding  year.  The  next  year  his  la- 
bors were  prolonged  in  the  Shoe- String  circuit  of  Moores- 
ville,  Hiddenite  and  Taylorsville,  N.  C.  The  field  being 
re-districted,  not  for  political  but  practical  purposes,  he 
was  installed  over  New  Perth  and  New  Stirling,  Iredell 
Co.,  N.  C,  May  27,  1901. 

Three  days  after  the  interesting  ceremony  of  his  in- 
stallation at  Timber  Ridge,  there  was  another  rite  in  the 
same  consecrated  court.  James  Graham  Dixon  gave  his 
youngest  daughter  Minnie  to  the  young  pastor.  They 
with  two  olive  plants  live  in  the  parsonage  near  New 
Stirling,  N.  C.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  an  earnest 
and  zealous  minister,  successful  in  winning  souls  and 
tender  in  his  appeals  to  the  unsaved. 

Grier,  Boyce  HeuiphiU. — The  brief  biography  of  the 
above  named  minister  of  the  Gospel  is  comprehended  in 
the  following  facts. 

He  was  the  ninth  child  of  Rev.  R.  C.  and  Barbara 
Grier,  was  born  at  Due  West,  November  8th,  1861.  Was 
educated  in  the  Due  West  Female  College  until  he 
reached  about  the  age  of  fifteen,  then  entered  Erskine, 
graduating  in  the  class  of  1882.  He  spent  one  year  after 
graduation  in  the  University  of  Virginia,  studying  es- 
pecially Latin  and  Greek,  with  a  view  of  entering  the 
profession  of  Teacher.    He  taught  school,  however,  only 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  137 

one  year  at  Honea  Path, 
S.  C.  He  then  entered 
Erskine  Theological  Semi- 
nary, graduating  in  May, 
1887.  He  was  licensed  by 
the  Second  Presbytery  at 
iiethel  (Ora),  Laurens 
Co.,  S.  C,  April  18,  1886; 
preached  in  vacancies  in 
irirst  Presbytery  in  S.  C. 
and  X.  C.  during  the  sum- 
mer. In  Xovember,  1887, 
he  was  ordained  at  Due 
West  sine  titulo,  and  by 
I'-  H-  G'^^E'^-  the   order   of    Synod   went 

to  :^lillersburg,  Ky. ;  preached  for  eighteen  months  at 
Hinkston,  Olivet  and  New  Hope  churches,  in  the  Ken- 
tucky Presbytery.  In  September,  1888,  upon  the  death 
of  Rev.  D.  B.  Pressly,  his  brother-in-law,  he  took  charge 
of  the  church  at  ^It.  Zion,  Mo.  He  was  called  to  this 
church  and  installed  pastor  October  5th,  1889,  by  Rev. 
James  Boyce.  He  resigned  his  charge  May  20,  1894, 
seeking  a  warmer  climate  than  Missouri.  He  was  called 
to  Yorkville  and  Tirzah  churches  in  the  First  Presbytery, 
and  in  August.  1894,  was  installed  over  these  churches. 
Receiving  a  call  to  Bethel  (Ora).  Laurens  Co..  S.  C, 
he  accepted  and  was  installed  as  pastor  August,  1901, 
where  he  is  still  laboring,  happy  in  the  love  of  a  devoted 

people. 

Mr.  Grier  has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Miss  Julia 
F.  Kennedy,  daughter  of  Prof.  J.  P.  Kennedy.  She  was 
spared  to  her  husband  only  seven  months  after  their 
marriage  in  Xovember,  1889,  dying  from  the  effects  of 
an  operation  in  June.  1890.  F[is  second  /marriage  was 
with  Miss  Susie  M.  Lee,  on  July  28,  1891.  daughter  of 
Prof.  Joseph  F.  Lee  of  Due  West.  There  are  four 
children  living,  the  fruits  of  this  marriage,  Joseph  Lee, 


138  SKETCHES     OP     MINISTERS. 

JNIark  Brown,  Lois  Francis,  Alartha  Lee — one  an  infant, 
is  dead. 

Grier,John  McDill. — Rev.  John  M.  Grier  is  the  son  of 
Thomas  Pringle  Grier  and  Grizilda  Strong,  and  was  born 
in  Steele  Creek.  ^Mecklenburg  Co.,  X.  C,  Sept.  5th,  1861. 
He  graduated  from  Erskine  College  in  1882.  After 
teaching  two  years,  he  was  received  as  a  student  of 
theology  by  the  First  Presbytery  at  Winnsboro,  S.  C, 
April  ,  1884.  He  studied  Theology  at  Erskine,  Union, 
and  Princeton  Seminaries,  and  was  licensed  by  the  First 
Presbytery  at  Pisgah,  N.  C,  April  6,  1885,  and  was  or- 
dained by  the  same  Presbytery  in  the  fall  of  1887.  He 
was  installed  pastor  of  Kings  Mountain  and  Bethel 
churches  in  Cleveland  Co.,  N.  C,  August,  1888,  and 
remained  pastor  there  until  October,  1891,  when  he  was 
dismissed  by  certificate  to  the  Mecklenburg  Presbytery 
of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Grier  was  married  July  13th,  1886,  at  Statesville, 
N.  C,  to  Miss  Columbia  Davidson,  the  daughter  of  Robt. 
Quincy  Davidson  and  Jane  Brown.  Airs.  Grier  was 
born  at  Statesville,  N.  C,  Dec.  14th,  1866,  and  they 
have  two  sons. 

^^^^^  Grier,    Rcz'.    Isaac    Liv- 

JtBK/KK^  ingston. — Rev.  L  L.  Grier, 

I  ^^k  ^    student    of    theology    in 

Jm  *>*        '■^^^^  the     Associate      Reformed 

ff  iK  Church,  was  born  in  York 

^  J^  Co.,  S.  C,  near  the  present 

•^  town    of    Clover,    August 

i^        ^L^  28th,    1841.      He    was    the 

^^^^m^LjgH^^^^^^^^      first  born  of  Rev.  R.  C.  and 

^^^^Hjj^^^^^^^^^^v  Barbara        Grier. 

^^^^^   a^^^^^^^m  After  the 

^^^m  £^^^^^^W  parents    to    Due    West    he 

^%(^^^^^^^r  attended  the  schools  in  that 

^^^^^^  village,     entering     in     due 

'•  '-  '■''"=''•  time  Erskine  Colleoe,  and 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  139 

graduating  in  class  of  i860,  with  his  younger  brother, 
Rev.  W.  M.  Grier,  D.  D.,  and  receiving  the  first  honor. 
He  entered  the  theological  seminary  at  Due  West,  but  on 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  volunteered  as  a  sol- 
dier in  Orr's  Rifles,  a  company  made  up  largely  of  troops 
from  Abbeville  and  Anderson  Counties,  S.  C.  On  the 
'27th  of  June,  1862,  he  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Gaines' 
Mill,  \'a. 

Grici;  Isaac,  D.  D. — Robert  Grier,  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  ]\Iargaret  Livingston,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
were  married  in  X.  C.  in  1775.  That  year  they  moved 
to  Greene  Co..  Ga.,  and  the  next  year  a  son  was  born. 
Because  of  Tories,  they  refugeed  to  X.  C,  where  this  child 
of  promise,  Isaac,  was  baptized  by  Rev.  William  Martin, 
a  Covenanter  minister  of  their  faith.  He  was  the  first 
Presbyterian  minister  born  in  Georgia.  Piously  in- 
structed and  indoctrinated,  his  academical  training  was 
committed  to  Revs.  Cunningham  and  Cummins  of  his 
native  State,  and  his  diploma  was  received  from  Dickin- 
son College.  1800.  After  a  two  years'  course  in  theol- 
ogy under  Rev.  Alexander  Porter,  the  Second  Presbytery 
gave  him  license  Sept.  3,  1802.  Sardis  and  Providence, 
Mecklenburg  Co..  and  Tirzah,  (Waxhaw),  U.nion  Co., 
X".  C,  united  in  a  call  and  he  was  ordained  and  installed 
by  the  Second  Presbytery  Oct.  19th,  1804.  "]\Ir.  Magill 
preached  the  sermon  and  Mr.  Irwin  laid  on  the  obliga- 
tions." In  1808.  Tirzah  was  demitted.  and  Lower  Steele 
Creek  or  Blackstocks  assumed  under  his  pastoral  care. 
Providence  was  demitted  181 5.  and  his  time  equally  di- 
vided between  Sardis  and  Steele  Creek.  The  stated 
clerkship  of  Synod  was  his  responsibility,  1803-1814,  and 
the  moderatorship,  1816.  The  Associate  Reformed  Sy- 
nod (General)  met  June  3rd.  1807,  at  Gettysburg,  Pa. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  represented  his  Presbytery 
as  also  the  Second.  In  1820  his  Synod  commissioned 
him  on  a  three  months  missionary  tour  to  Tennessee. 
Some   T300  miles  were  travelled  on   horseback.  20  days 


I40  SKETCHES    OE    MINISTERS. 

spent  in  preaching,  $50.00  collected  and  $37.00  expended. 
An  effort  was  made  to  unite  the  three  Associate  Re- 
formed Synods,  vis.,  New  York,  Sciota,  and  the  South. 
This  convention  met  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Sept.12,  1827. 
Revs.  J.  T.  Pressly  and  Isaac  Grier  represented  the  two 
Presbyteries  in  the  South. 

August  3,  1808,  he  was  happily  married  to  Miss 
Isabella,  granddaughter  of  John  Harris  and  Eleanor 
Reynolds  of  Ireland  romance. 

She  was  a  woman  of  great  force  of  character  and  de- 
voted piety  judging  from  her  godly  and  distinguished 
descendents.  The  title  of  D.  D.  was  conferred  in  1837 
by  Jefferson  College. 

After  a  long  and  faithful  and  successful  ministry  of 
over  40  years  he  demitted  his  charge  Oct.  5th,  1842,  and 
a  little  later,  Nov.  2nd,  1843,  received  his  crown.  There 
are  some  things  very  remarkable  about  his  forty  years 
of  labor.  Death  invaded  not  the  ranks  of  the  ministry 
for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  saw  a  faithful  band 
half  the  number  of  the  Apostles  lift  their  banner  in  the 
Southland  and  hold  up  the  inspired  Psalter  as  a  manual 
of  praise.  He  saw  this  vanguard  thinned  in  the  early 
'30S  to  be  recruited  by  his  efforts  in  training  at  Union 
Academy,  young  men  for  the  ministry,  and  in  the  rise 
and  growth  of  Erskine  Seminary  and  College.  Spared 
far  beyond  his  co-temporaries  his  life  and  work  led 
through  the  darkest  period  of  our  Church  history.  "]\Iin- 
ished  and  brought  low"  he  saw  his  beloved  Church  "take 
deep  root."  What  experiences,  what  responsibility,  wdiat 
power,  humanly  speaking,  was  committed  to  this 
heroic  spirit,  since  it  was  his  immense  responsibility  to 
give  complexion,  character  and  courage  to  a  large  part 
of  the  First  Presbytery.  Many  would,  as  many  liave, 
turned  to  an  easier  path  and  a  brighter  prospect.  But 
Dr.  Grier  was  not  so  built,  the  blood  of  martyrs  was  in 
him  and  he  had  the  stuff  of  which  heroes  are  made.  In 
the  darkest  days  of  his  Church  having  faith  in  her  prin- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


141 


ciples  and  following  his  convictions  he  taug-ht,  toiled  and 
trusted  and  at  his  death  about  one  half  of  his  Presbytery- 
were  children  of  his  charge.  This  good  work  has  gone 
forward.  He  being  dead  yet  speaketh.  As  Virginia  was 
the  mother  of  Presidents,  so  Sardis  is  the  mother  of 
ministers.  Not  only  was  his  eye  on  the  youth  of  his  con- 
gregations, but  he  was  diligent  and  successful  in  instruct- 
ing the  colored  people,  many  of  whom  became  profess- 
ing- Christians. 

He  was  punctual  in  his  appointments  to  preach  and  in 
his  attendance  on  Church  judicatories,  faithful  in  pastoral 
visitation  and  catechetical  instruction.  A  devoted,  godly 
minister,  a  faithful  loyal  servant,  an  exemplary  husband 
and  father,  serving  w^ell  his  generation,  and  his  name  is 
as  ointment  poured  forth. 


Grier,  John  Stez^'ard. — Rev. 
J.  S.  Grier  is  the  son  of  the  late 
Rev.  Robert  Leroy  Grier  and 
Alartha  Ann  Kirkpatrick,  and 
was  born  in  Troy,  Tenn.,  Sept. 
19th,  1868. 

jVfter  the  death  of  his  parents, 
he  was  reared  b}-  his  maternal 
grandparents  in  Mecklenburg 
Co.,  N.  C,  and  after  their  death 
he  was  provided  for  by  his  un- 
cle, John  Moore  Kirkpatrick, 
who  helped  to  educate  him. 
He  was  educated  in  the  ordinary  country  schools  until 
prepared  for  College,  when  he  entered  Erskine  College 
in  the  fall  of  1887,  graduating  from  that  institution  in 
1891.  He  connected  with  the  Church  at  Ebcnezcr,  X^.  C, 
in  1882,  was  received  as  a  student  of  theolog}'  by  the 
First  Presbytery  in  the  fall  of  1891  at  Steele  Creek.  X.  C, 
prosecuted  his  studies  in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary, 
and  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery,  at  Charlotte,  N. 


REV.    J.    S.    GRIER. 


142 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


C,  in  1893.  On  July  22nd,  1893,  he  was  ordained  and 
installed  pastor  of  Ebenezer,  Jefferson  Co.,  Ga.,  by  the 
Second  Presbytery,  and  was  pastor  of  that  church  until 
April,  1896,  when  he  received  a  call  to  Sharon,  York 
Co.,  S.  C,  which  he  accepted,  and  was  installed  there 
July  23rd,   1896,  and  still  continues  pastor  there. 

Through  his  eft'orts  a  new  church  called  Hebron  was 
organized  on  the  outskirts  of  Sharon,  and  Mr.  Grier  was 
installed  pastor  of  this  new  organization  in  July,  1901, 
for  one  fourth  of  his  t\fne  and  still  continues  pastor  there. 

Mr.  Grier  was  married  at  Ebenezer,  Ga.,  Dec.  2nd, 
1896,  to  Miss  Julia  Elizabeth  Cain,  daughter  of  George 
Lyman  Cain,  and  Mary  Elizabeth  Stone.  Mrs.  Grier 
was  born  near  Louisville,  Ga.,  Dec.  3rd,  1871.  They 
have  had  two  children,  one  of  whom  is  dead. 

Grier,  Rev.  J.  Julius. — Was  born  Dec.  12,  1868,  in 
Mecklenburg-   Co.,    N.    C,    within   the   bounds   of    Back 

o 

Creek  A.  R.  P.  Church.  His  mother,  Agnes  Grier,  is  a 
daughter  of  Rev.  1.  G.  McLaughlin. 

His  earlier  education  was  obtained,  for  the  most  part, 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  county.  After  com- 
pleting his  college  course,  he  was  graduated  in  1891  from 
Erskine  College.  After  teaching  for  a  short  while  he 
entered  Erskine  Theological  Seminary  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  that  institution  in   1894. 

On  July  25,  1894,  he  was  ordained  by  a  communion  of 
the  Second  Presbytery,  and  on  the  same  day  was  installed 
pastor  of  the  Abbeville  S.  C.  A.  R.  P.  Church.  This 
charge  he  demitted  in  November,  1895.  In  1897  he  was 
granted  a  certificate  by  the  Second  Presbytery.  He  con- 
nected with  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church,  and  went 
to  Birmingham  as  stated  supply  for  the  East  Lake  Pres- 
byterian Church.  On  May  20,  1900,  he  was  installed 
pastor  of  this  church.  On  account  of  throat  trouble  he 
resigned  this  pastorate  January,  i,  1903,  and  accepted 
the  position  of  Einancial  Secretary  of  the  Texas  Pres- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


143 


byterian  College  for  girls,  located  at  Milford,  Texas. 
This  position  he  still  holds.  On  July  24,  1901,  he  was 
happily  married  to  ]\Iiss  Louise  Palmer  of  Birmingham, 
Alabama. 

Grier,  Mark  Brozvn.—Rey.  M.  B.  Grier  is  the  eleventh 
and  youngest  child  of  Rev.R.C.and  Barbara  B.  Grier.  He 
was  born  at  Due  West,  January  3rd,  1867.  Received  his 
preparatory  education  in  the  primary  department  of  the 
Due  West  Female  College,  and  also  in  some  of  the  Col- 
lege classes.  He  entered  Erskine.  graduating  in  June, 
1885  ;  spent  one  year  at  Johns  Hopkins  University,  Balti- 
more, taught  school  one  year  near  Covington,  Ga.,  stud- 
ied at  Erskine  Seminary  and  also  at  Princeton,  graduat- 
ing at  the   latter  in   May, 

1891.  He  decided  to  go  as 
a  missionary  to  China,  and 
offered  himself  to  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  of 
the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church ;  spent  one  year  in 
Dr.  Dowkout's  ^Missionary 
Training  School,  and  went 
to     China     in     September, 

1892.  He  is  now  actively 
engaged  in  his  work  in  the 
city  of  Heiichoufu,  teach- 
and  preaching  the  Gospel 
to  the  heathen. 

He  was  married  1894  (  ?)  to  Miss  Nettie  Donaldson,  a 
missionary  of  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Church  in 
China,  but  originally  from  Greenville,  Pa.  They  have 
been  blessed  with  one  child,  Isabel. 

Grier,  Robert  Calvin.  D.  D.— The  suliject  of  this 
sketch  was  born  ]\Iarch  2nd.  181 7,  in  Providence  Town- 
ship,   ^lecklenburg    Co..    N.    C,    some    ten    miles    south 


M.    B.    GRIER. 


144 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


of  Charlotte,  within  the 
bounds  of  Sardis  congre- 
gation, the  pastoral  charge 
of  his  father.  Rev.  Isaac 
Grier,  D.  D.  The  commu- 
nity was  distinguished  for 
its  moral  worth  and  civic 
virtues.  The  citizens  of 
Mecklenburg  ever  since 
their  famous  declaration  of 
Independence,  have  been 
renowned  for  their  patriot- 
ism, and  almost  equally  fa- 
mous for  their  substantial 
K.  L.  cKiER.  religious    character. 

Dr.  Grier  descended  from  a  pious  and  highly  respected 
ancestry.  His  mother  Isabella,  was  of  the  Harris  fam- 
ily, well  known  in  the  Steel  Creek  community  as  good 
citizens,  substantial  livers,  and  exemplary  Church  mem- 
bers. The  grand-parents  of  Dr.  Grier  were  noted  for 
their  strict  piety ;  Hugh  Harris  was  noted  especially  for 
his  strict  punctuality  in  attending  Church.  His  home 
was  some  thirteen  miles  distant  from  the  church  which 
he  attended  two-thirds  of  the  time,  but  he  was  usually 
among  the  first  to  arrive  on  Sabbath  morning.  Mrs. 
Grier  walked  in  the  footsteps  of  her  father,  and  was 
noted  for  the  purity  of  her  life  and  the  simplicity  of  her 
manners.  She  was  particularly  attentive  to  the  conduct 
and  education  of  her  children. 

Rev.  Isaac  Grier,  D.  D.,  the  father  of  R.  C.  Grier,  was 
born  in  Green  County,  Ga.,  the  7th  of  October,  1776.  He 
was  the  first  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  order  born 
in  the  State. 

Dr.  Isaac  Grier's  family  was  not  large — two  sons 
and  one  daughter- — one  son  died  in  infancy.  The  daugh- 
ter, Martha,  married  Rev.  I.  G.  Witherspoon,  and  after 
his  death  Dr.  James  Boyce.  She  was  the  oldest  and  Dr. 
R.  C.  Grier  the  second  child. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  145 

The  academical  education  of  Dr.  Grier,  Jr.,  was  ob- 
tained partly  in  the  Sardis  neighborhood  and  partly 
in  Greenville  Count}-.  S.  C.,  in  a  school  conducted  by  ]\Ir. 
William  Moffatt.  In  Isiay,  1833,  in  his  17th  year,  he 
repaired  to  Canonsburg,  Pa.,  and  entered  Jefferson 
College,  then  in  the  full  tide  of  success,  under  the  popu- 
lar presidency  of  Dr.  Matthew  Brown,  where  he  gradu- 
ated in  September,  1835.  After  graduation  he  taught 
school  for  awhile  in  association  with  James  Walker, 
afterward  a  minister  in  the  Associate  Reformed  Church, 
near  his  home  in  Sardis.  He  commenced  the  study  of 
theology  under  his  father.  Dr.  Isaac  Grier,  but  completed 
his  course  in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary  at  Due  West 
under  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly,  D  .D.  He  was  licensed  by  the 
First  Presbytery  in  April,  1839,  received  calls  from 
Bethany  and  Pisgah  churches,  and  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled pastor  in  June,  1841.  His  father.  Dr.  Isaac  Grier, 
Rev.  Thomas  Ketchin  and  Rev.  John  G.  Witherspoon 
taking  part  in  the  exercises. 

His  pastorate  lasted  for  seven  years.  He  was  a  faith- 
ful pastor  and  much  beloved  by  his  congregations.  In 
October,  1847,  it  became  necessary  for  the  Synod  to  elect 
a  president  for  Erskine  College  to  succeed  Dr.  E.  E. 
Presslv,  w'ho  had  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  Dr. 
R.  C.  Grier  was  chosen  to  fill  this  responsible  position. 
He  was  but  thirty-one  years  of  age,  and  w^as  up  to  this 
time  unknown  to  fame,  the  pastor  of  two  country  congre- 
gations. He  had  appeared  but  seldom  in  the  public 
prints.  Had  written  perhaps  two  or  three  articles  for 
the  "Christian  Magaaine  of  the  South,"  published  by  Dr. 
James  Boyce.  But  his  friends  had  discovered  in  him 
certain  gifts  which  only  needed  cultivation  and  a  field  for 
their  exercise  to  bring  him  to  the  front  rank  of  useful- 
ness in  the  Church  as  an  educator.  The  selection  of  the 
Synod  proved  to  be  most  wise.  He  accented  the  presi- 
dency to  which  he  was  chosen,  much  to  the  regret  of 
his  churches.     In  the  spring  of  1848  he  wa'^  inaugurated. 

10 


146  SKETCHES     OF    iMINISTERS. 

In  1858,  wearied  with  his  arduous  duties,  he  resigned. 
He  had  served  the  Church  for  ten  years  and  had  brought 
the  cohege  up  to  prominence  in  the  State  and  in  the  whole 
South  as  one  of  the  best  denominational  institutions.  To 
his  gifts  of  scholarship,  he  added  great  tact  and  knowl- 
edge of  human  nature.  He  knew  how  to  control  young 
men,  his  discipline  was  mild  but  firm,  he  saw  the  best 
that  was  in  ever}-  man  and  appealed  to  that,  he  thus  in- 
spired young  men  with  a  noble  ambition  to  do  right.  He 
had  a  saving  sense  of  humor  which  served  him  well  of- 
tentimes in  bringing  out  the  follies  and  foibles  of  youth, 
and  leading  his  students  to  see  how  ridiculous  were  their 
college  pranks  and  misdemeanors.  For  his  department 
of  mental  and  moral  science  he  was  especially  fitted. 
Having  a  keen  logical  intellect,  able  to  see  a  point  clearly 
and  to  make  it  plain  to  others.  We  have  heard  some  of 
his  students  say  that  he  ought  to  have  written  a  text 
book  on  Moral  Philosophy.  As  we  have  said  he  resigned 
the  presidency  in  1858,  in  the  following  year  he  was 
elected  professor  in  the  Seminary. 

On  the  death  of  Dr.  E.  E.  Pressly.  in  i860,  Dr.  Grier 
was  chosen  pastor  of  the  Due  West  Church.  To  this  im- 
portant field  of  labor  he  brought  his  best  gifts  as  a 
preacher,  as  he  had  offered  his  best  talent  as  teacher  in 
the  work  of  the  college.  If  he  was  distinguished  in  the 
class-room,  he  was  scarcely  less  so  in  the  pulpit.  He  was 
re-elected  president  of  the  college  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
His  second  administration  was  equally  distinguished  and 
as  successful  as  the  first.. 

His  hands  were  now  full — as  professor,  pastor  and 
teacher  in  the  Seminary — besides  these  there  were  many 
other  duties  that  belonged  to  him  as  the  father  of  a  large 
family  and  the  care  of  numerous  business  matters.  His 
burden  was  too  great  for  him.  He  wore  himself  out  in 
the  work  of  the  Church.  On  March  15th,  1871,  he  was 
taken  seriously  ill  with  a  disease  which  baffled  the 
skill  of  the  physicians,  and  which  seemed  to  affect  both 


SKETCHES     OE    ^IIXISTERS.  147 

the  liver  and  stomach,  though  the  trouble  was  never 
certainly  diagnosed.  He  lingered  two  weeks,  until  the 
30th  of  March,  when  his  spirit  took  its  flight  from  the 
suffering  body  and  returned  to  God  who  gave  it  Dr. 
Grier  was  married  in  August,  1840,  to  Miss  Barbara  B. 
^loffatt,  the  eldest  daughter  of  William  Moffatt  a 
prominent  merchant  of  Lewisville.  Chester  County, 
S.  C.  She  survived  her  husband  twenty-five  years. 
There  were  in  all  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity,  Isaac  Livingstone,  killed  in  battle 
in  June,  1862,  William  ]\Ioffatt.  President  of  Erskine 
College,  Isabella,  who  married  Rev.  J.  E.  ^^lartin, 
Laura,  who  married  Rev.  G.  R.  White,  Lois ,  who 
married  Rev.  D.  B.  Pressly,  and  Jane,  who  married  Mr. 
James  E.  Todd.  Boyce  H.,  present  pastor  at  Ora.  S. 
C,  Paul  L.,  professor  in  Erskine  College  and  Mark  B., 
missionary  to  China. 

Dr.  Grier  received  his  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from 
Washington  and  Lee  LTniversity,  Lexington,  Va.,  about 
the  year  1852  or  1853. 

Grier,  Robert  Leroy. — Son  of  Isaac  Grier  and  Isabella 
Robison,  was  born  in  Mecklenburgh  Co.,  X.  C,  June  18, 
1832.  He  completed  his  literary  course  and  graduated 
from  Erskine  College  August  8th,  1855.  He  married 
Martha  A.  Kirkpatrick  April  24,  1856.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Hugh  and  Louisa  Kirkpatrick.  He  was  li- 
censed to  preach  the  Gospel  by  the  First  Presbytery  of 
the  Carol inas  in  April,  1858,  and  under  the  order  of  Synod 
he  labored  in  the  Georgia,  Memphis  and  First  Presbyteries. 

He  was  ordai'-'ed  and  installed  pastor  of  the  A.  R.  P. 
Church  of  Troy,  Obion  Co.,  Tenn.,  Nov.  19,  1861.  He 
demitted  this  charge  during  the  year  i86<;),  and  moved 
to  Marshall  Co.,  Miss.,  and  settled  in  the  bounds  of  Mt. 
Carmel  church  and  employed  his  time  in  teaching  school 
and  preaching  to  the  congregation  of  ^^it.  Carmel  anil 
also  that  of  Beulah,  Shelbv  Co.,  Tenn. 


148  SKETCHES     OE     MINISTERS. 

Here  he  was  called  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  who 
died  June  27,  1871,  after  a  protracted  sickness.  She 
was  "a  faithful  companion,  a  woman  of  undoubted 
piety  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  her."  She 
was  the  mother  of  six  children :  Dr.  Isaac  Oscar,  de-( 
ceased,  Louisa  Isabella,  wife  of  J.  Walker  Griffith,  Hugh 
Kirkpatrick,  deceased,  Robert  Baxter,  Margaret  Anna, 
and  John  Stewart.  Mr.  Grier  was  installed  pastor  of 
Mt.  Carmel  and  Beulah  churches  in  1872,  and  there 
labored  faithfully  for  nearly  eight  years.  He  married  Oct. 
10,  1872,  Miss  Eleanor  Jane  Moffatt,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Eleanor  Jane  Mofifatt,  of  P^Iarshall  Co.,  Miss.  Mr. 
Grier  demitted  the  Mt.  Carmel  branch  of  his  charge  in 
1879,  sold  his  possessions  in  Mississippi  and  moved  to 
Shelby  Co.,  Tenn.,  1880.  About  this  time  he  experienced 
a  severe  attack  of  jaundice,  and  gradiially  sank  under 
weakness,  and  on  Feb.  16,  1881,  his  body  was  laid  to  its 
long  rest  and  his  spirit  returned  to  God  who  gave  it. 

His  two  oldest  sons  died  the  same  year  as  their  father. 
Of  the  survivors,  Rev.  John  S.  Grier  is  now  pastor  of 
Sharon,  S.  C.  Rev.  A.  H.  Griffith,  now  of  Little  Rock, 
Ark.,  is  a  grandson  of  Mr.  Grier's. 

Mr.  Grier  is  remembered  as  a  fluent  speaker  and  a 
good  preacher. 

Grier,  Robert  Livingston. — The  second  child  of  Dr. 
William  M.and  Nannie  McMorries  Grier,  was  born  Sept. 
15th,  1867;  was  educated  in  Due  West,  S.  C,  and  grad- 
uated from  Erskine  College,  June,  1887,  under  the  Pres- 
idency of  his  father.  In  1891  he  entered  Erskine  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  completing  his  course  in  1893,  and  was 
licensed  by  the  2nd  A.  R.  Presbytery,  at  King's  Creek 
Church,  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C,  in  April,  1893.  Accepting 
a  call  from  Steel  Creek  congregation,  Mecklenburg  Co., 
N.  C,  he  was  transferred  to  the  ist  Presbytery,  and  was 
ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  there  Aug.  11,  1893,  by 
a  Committee  of  the   ist  Presbvterv, — but  Dr.  Grier,  his 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS.  149 

father,  a  member  of  the  2iid  Presbytery,  was  present  and 
took  part  in  the  services.  His  great-grandfather,  Rev. 
Isaac  Grier,  D.  D.,  many  years  before,  had  sustained  the 
same  relation  to  the  ancestors  of  some  of  the  members 
of  Steel  Creek  church.  The  relation  as  pastor  was  dis- 
solved April  5th,   1897. 

His  next  field  of  labor  was  Mt.  Zion,  Mo.,  in  the  Ken- 
tuckv  Presbytery,  beginning  his  work  there  in  1897,  and 
continued  until  Sept.  21st,  1899.  In  1900  having 
adopted  some  doctrines  contrary  to  the  teachings  of  the 
A.  R  P.  Church  on  the  subjects  of  Future  Punishment 
and  Nature  of  the  Atonement,  he  voluntarily  withdrew 
from  the  e>fercise  of  the  ministry,  and  requested  his  name 
to  be  dropped  from  the  roll  of  the  Presbytery,  which  was 
done  Oct.  24,  1901.  His  name  was  restored  and  h'^  was 
reinstated  as  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  Aug.  30ti;, 
1902,  on  his  written  acceptance  of  the  standards  and 
doctrine  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church.  A  short  time  after  this 
he  made  application  to  and  ^vas  received  by  examination 
into  the  South  Carolina  Presbytery  of  the  Southern 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Air.  drier  has  married  twice.  His  first  wife  was  Miss 
Fannie  Grist,  daughter  of  Capt.  W.  M.  Grist,  editor  of 
the  "Yorkville  Enquirer,"  Yorkville,  S.  C,  and  was  con- 
summated May  20th,  1891.  She  died  June  5th,  1893. 
On  the  20th  of  Febuary,  1895,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Jennie  Marshall,  daughter  of  Capt.  J.  W.  ^Marshall,  of 
Rock  Hill,  S.  C. 

Grier,  William  Moffatt,  D.  D. — In  an  old  house,  built 
by  his  father,  about  one  mile  from  the  present  little  vil- 
lage of  Clover,  York  Co..  S.  C.  on  the  nth  of  February, 
1843,  William  Moffatt  Grier  was  born.  He  was  the  sec- 
ond son  of  Robert  C.  and  Barbara  B.  Grier.  His  brother, 
Isaac  Livingston,  being  the  first  born.  At  the  time  of  his 
birth.  Dr.  Robert  C.  Grier  was  pastor  of  Bethany  and 
Pisp-ah  congregations.    In  1847  he  was  elected  President 


150 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


of  Erskine  College  and  re- 
moved to  Due  West,  and 
It  was  here  that  Dr.  Grier, 
Jr.,  was  brought  up.  He 
attended  the  schools  of  the 
village,  which  were  fairly 
good,  and  in  due  time  en- 
tered Erskine  College, 
graduating  in  class  of 
i860.  He  shared  the  sec- 
ond honor  of  the  class.  The 
first  honor  was  taken  by 
his  brother  Livingston 
with    one    or    two    others. 

VV.      M.     GRIERj     D.      D.  y-  1  .^    .l-  r,  1    • 

ror  a  short  time  after  his 
graduation  he  engaged  in  teaching  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C. 
While  pursuing  this  quiet  vocation,  the  war  between  the 
States  broke  out,  and,  fired  with  a  spirit  of  patriotism.  Dr. 
Grier  volunteered  his  services,  joining  the  sixth  regiment 
of  S.  C,  which  was  made  up  largely  of  Chester,  Fair- 
field and  York  Co.  troops.  Dr.  Grier  was  not  in  the  ser- 
vice long;  he  was  severely  wounded  at  Williamsburg, 
May  5th,  1862,  was  taken  prisoner,  and  after  his  ex- 
change returned  home. 

In  1864  he  connected  with  the  Second  Presbytery. 
In  April,  1866,  at  Cedar  Springs,  he  was  licensed,  and  in 
August,  1867,  settled  as  pastor  at  Oak  Hill,  Wilcox  Co., 
Ala  In  September,  187 1,  he  was  called  from  his  quiet 
and  happy  pastorate  to  succeed  his  father  as  President 
of  Erskine  College.  He  accepted  with  some  misgiv- 
ings the  important  position  "Relying,"  as  he  said,  "upon 
the  Divine  blessing  and  the  cordial  support  of  those  who 
had  elected  him."  The  task  before  him  was  no  easy  one. 
The  Southern  country  was  sufifering  from  the  terrible 
ravages  of  the  war,  the  people  were  impoverished.  The 
burden  of  reconstruction  was  upon  them.  Dr.  Grier  was 
young,    just    twenty-eight,    without    experience — the    old 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  151 

endowment  was  gone— there  were  no  effective  plans  for 
a  new  one.     On  the  whole  the  problem  of  sustaining  the 
college,  or  at  least  of  promoting  its  advancement  seemed 
to  be  a  real  one.     And  then  Dr.  Grier,  Jr.,  was  succeed- 
ing a   father   who   had   been   eminently   successful,   and 
wdiose  ability  and  worth  had  been  held  in  the  highest  es- 
teem by  the  whole  Church— and  he  was  to  take  his  place 
at  the  head  of  the  facult\-,  some  of  whom  had  bsen  his 
honored  instructors,      l.ut  the  choice  of  the  Synod  was 
fully  justified.  Dr.  Grier  soon  had  his  work  in  hand.     He 
achieved  his  greatest  fame  as  college  president.     Dr.  F. 
Y.  Pressly  says  of  him:     "That  he  was  raised  up,  quali- 
fied and  called  of  God  to  this  service,  no  one  can  doubt 
who  is  familiar  with  the  history  of  Erskine  College  for 
the  last  quarter  of  a  century.  Such  pre-eminent  qualifica- 
tions for  so  difficult  and  responsible  a  station  came  not 
by  chance.     There  is  no  occasion  to  repeat  the  question 
of   Mordecai:     "Who  knowest   whether  thou   art   come 
to  the  Kingdom  for  such  a  time  as  this."     The  success 
of   the   College   under   Dr.    Grier's   encumbency   is   well 
known.     "His    worth    was    recognized    far    outside    the 
bounds  of  his  own  denomination,  and  he  was  generally 
accepted  as  an  exponent  of  the  highest  and  best  Christian 
culture  in  the  South.     Under  his  wise  guidance  the  Col- 
leo-e  has  extended  her  influence,  and  has  a  recognized 
place   among   institutions   of   higher   Christian   learning. 
With  rare  tact  and  with  faithful,  unsparing  toil  he  has 
done  what  he  could  in  rearing  a  fair  superstructure  on 
the   foundation   laid   by   the   great   and   godly   men   who 
preceded  him."     Dr.  Grier  was  a  most  competent  instruc- 
tor in  the  chair  of  Mental  and  iMoral  Science,  and  w^as 
distinguished  by  the  clearness  and  cogency  of  his  reason- 
ing and  his  skill  in  imparting  knowledge  to  his  students. 
He  was  pre-eminently  fitted  for  the  government  of  the 
College.      "He   was   gentle,   firm,   considerate   and    just. 
he  relied  more  on  appeals  to  the  student's  sense  of  right 
than   on   the   naked   hand   of   the   law.      Submission   to 


152  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

rightful,  constituted  authority  he  insisted  upon  as  a  car- 
dinal virtue ;  but  in  the  enforcement  of  obedience  there 
was  always  manifest  an  affectionate  concern  for  the 
highest  good  of  the  student."  ^  The  confidence  and  ap- 
preciation of  his  work  as  president  was  fully  shown  by 
the  Synod,  when  weary  with  his  labors  and  his  heavy 
responsibilities,  she  refused  to  accept  his  resignation  ten- 
dered at  the  close  of  his  twenty-fifth  year  of  service. 

But  not  only  did  Dr.  Grier  serve  Erskine  College  well 
as  her  president  and  professor.  He  was  a  number  of 
times  called  upon  to  act  as  agent.  Once  he  canvassed 
the  Synod,  in  part,  for  the  endowment,  once  for  money 
to  erect  new  buildings,  and  again  to  raise  money  on  the 
debt  incurred  in  the  erection  of  the  new  building  and 
the  Dormitory.  In  his  last  canvass  during  §  very  hot, 
sultry  summer  he  remarked  that  he  thought  when  this 
was  finished  he  ought  to  graduate.  He  was  not  given  to 
consult  his  own  comfort  when  the  Synod  called  upon  him 
to  perform  any  duty. 

Dr.  Grier  was  almost  equally  as  distinguished  a 
preacher,  as  educator.  As  one  said  of  him,  "He  stood  in 
the  front  rank  as  a  pulpit  orator.  His  sermons  were 
clear,  logical,  scholarly,  and  instructive,  and  withal  plain 
and  practical.  He  preached  with  a  pathos,  power  and 
eloquence  that  captivated  and  moved  his  audience.  He 
was  a  man  of  power  in  the  pulpit."  His  Sabbath  after- 
noon sermons  preached  in  the  Due  West  pulpit  will  not 
soon  be  forgotten,  and  they  have  left  their  impress,  upon 
many  young  persons,  who  it  maybe  have  forgotten  his 
words  in  the  class-room. 

As  professor  in  the  Seminary  and  as  editor  of  the 
"Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian,"  Dr.  Grier  also  served 
his  Church  most  efficiently.  There  was  no  labor  that 
he  enjoyed  more  perhaps,  than  writing  for  the  "Pres- 
byterian." His  editorials  were  alwavs  fresh  ancl  force- 
able,  and  widely  influential. 

He  was  indeed  a  faithful,  unselfish  servant  of  the 
Church,  and  of  the  cause  of  education. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  153 

He  died  in  the  midst  of  his  usefuhiess  and  in  the  height 
of  his  intellectual  powers.  Returning  from  his  appoint- 
ment at  Bethlehem  a  few  miles  from  Due  West,  one  hot 
Sabbath  at  noon,  September  3rd,  1899,  he  sat  down  to 
dinner,  but  with  little  appetite.  Complained  of  feeling 
sick,  fell  over  in  an  instant  in  his  chair,  and  in  an  hour 
after  he  was  dead.  The  stroke  of  apoplexy  soon  did  its 
work.  He  was  removed  at  once  from  the  toil  of  earth 
to  the  blessed  rest  of  heaven. 

Dr.  Grier  w^as  most  fortunate  in  his  marriage,  his 
wife,  who  survives  him.  was  Miss  Nannie  M.  AIcMorries 
of  Newberry.  S.  C.  daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  McMorries. 
She  was  a  true  helpmeet,  assisting  her  husband  in  his 
high  position  and  great  labors  by  her  sympathy,  her  ap- 
preciation and  her  prayers.  She  was  a  tower  of  strength, 
modestly  standing  behind  the  scenes  but  an  active  partici- 
pant in  all  that  has  been  accomplished.  There  are  seven 
living  children.  Mrs.  J.  S.  Moffatt  of  Chester,  S.  C, 
and  Mrs.  Laura  Mofifatt  of  the  same  place.  Rev.  R.  L. 
Grier  of  Elizabeth  City.  N.  C,  Mr.  W.  I\I.  Grier  of  Due 
West  and  Mr.  R.  E.  Grier  of  Charleston.  S.  C.  Misses 
Helen  and  Agnes,  two  daughters  unmarried,  are  at  home 
with  their  mother.  Two  little  ones  passed  away  in 
childhood. 

Haddoii,  David  Franklin.— Son  of  Abram  Haddon 
and  Anna  Hawthorne,  was  born  near  Due  West,  Nov.  7, 
1820.  and  died  Dec.  13.  1896. 

As  a  child  he  attended  school  in  the  country  and  later 
spent  one  session  at  Athens,  Georgia,  at  what  is  now  the 
University  of  Georgia.  He  then  entered  Erskine  and  af- 
ter finishing  the  prescribed  course  of  study  was  graduated 
in  the  First  Class. 

At  some  time  in  his  early  youth  he  united  with  the 
Church  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  and  was  received  as  a  student 
of  Theology  l)y  the  Second  Presbytery,  immediately  af- 
ter being  graduated  from  colleere. 


154 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


He  then  continued  his  studies  at  Erskine  Theological 
Seminary. 

On  May  15,  1854,  he  was  ordained  and  installed  by  a 
committee  appointed  by  the  Second  Presbytery,  as  pastor 
of  Bethel,  Head  Springs,  and  Providence  in  Laurens  Co., 
S.  C.  In  this  charge  he  lived  and  labored  for  the  long 
term  of  42  vears.  After  his  installation  he  married 
Margaret  Taylor,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth 
Taylor.  Xo  children  were  born  to  them.  After  her 
death  he  married  Eliza  Thompson. 


Haddon,  Samuel  Wal- 
ter.— Son  of  Abram  Frank- 
lin and  Eliza  J.  (Dickson) 
Haddon,  born  at  Antrc)- 
ville,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C, 
June  18,  1855.  Professed 
religion  at  16  while  a  stu- 
dent in  preparatory  depart- 
ment of  Erskine  College, 
where  he  received  his  di- 
ploma, 1877.  A  full  course 
of  theology  was  taken  at. 
Erskine  Divinity  School. 
During-  this  course  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  work,  both  in  Port- 
land, Me.,  and  Newberryport,  Mass.,  was  offered.  Yield- 
ing to  the  experienced  judgment  of  his  Presbytery,  the 
church  of  his  fathers  has  had  his  valuable  services  in 
the  direct  work  of  the  ministry,  and  the  Master  has  set 
the  seal  of  approval  on  his  decision.  Licensed  by  the 
Second  Presbytery  Sept.  16,  1880,  he  spent  three  months 
beginning  Nov.  i,  1880,  at  Ebenezer  and  Bethel,  and 
Broad  Creek.  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.  On  the  first  Sab- 
bath of  Feb.,  i88t,  he  began  preaching  at  Old  Providence 
and  Timber  Ridge,  Va.,  as  co-pastor  with  Dr.  IT.  Thomp- 
son.    Having  been  ordained  by  the  Virginia  Presbytery 


W.     HADDON. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  155 

April  23r(l,  1881,  he  succeeded  Dr.  Thompson  and  was 
installed  pastor,  April  19th,  1883,  of  Old  Providence, 
remaining-  stated  supply  of  Timber  Ridge  till  1892. 

On  the  6th  of  November,  1883,  he  was  happily  married 
to  Miss  Anna  Brown,  daughter  of  Capt  John  Brown  and 
Margaret  (iTanna)  Galloway  of  Maury  Co.,  Tcnn.  She 
was  born  in  aforesaid  county  Sept.  30th,  i860,  and 
graduated  at  the  Due  West  Female  College  in  1879.  His 
eleven  years  work  at  Timber  Ridge  lengthening  her 
cords  and  strengthening  her  stakes  is  still  bearing  fruit. 
About  the  latter  part  of  1892  there  was  a  redistricting 
and  Timber  Ridge  was  associated  with  Ebenezcr  under 
Rev.  Plaxco  and  Bro.  Haddon  gave  all  his  time  as  he 
does  yet  to  Old   Providence. 

The  congregation  has  grown  steadily  in  numbers  and 
liberality,  good  evidence  also  of  spiritual  increase.  He 
was  the  Synod's  accredited  delegate  to  United  Presby- 
terian General  Assembly  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  1895.  Before 
the  most  cultured  of  that  cultured  denomination,  in  one 
of  their  finest  churches,  Bro.  J.  G.  Dale  says  he  electrified 
the  audience.  He  served  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Erskine  College  five  years,  from  1892.  Remarkably 
punctual  in  his  Presbytery,  he  has  missed  but  four  meet- 
ings of  Synod  in  the  21  years  of  ministerial  service. 
This  is  an  honorable  record  when  all  save  one  of  these 
meetings  were  in  other  States  from  400  to  1000  miles. 
This  brother  is  in  many  respects  a  model  minister.  Kind 
but  firm,  prudent  but  positive,  a  cultured  scholar,  a  de- 
vout Christian,  in  the  pulpit  an  orator,  in  the  Church 
courts  a  wise  counsellor,  in  his  home  a  charming  host, 
in  your  home  an  instructive  conversationalist,  he  is  the 
Master's  servant  at  all  times  and  attends  strictly  to  his 
professional  functions. 

Haiiiill.  Robf. — Son  of  \\'m.  T.  and  Mary  Ray  Hamill, 
was  born  March  2nd.  1871,  on  his  parents'  farm,  where 
they   still   reside,  three  miles  distant   from   Indiana,   Pa. 


156  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

Until  18  years  of  age,  he  attended  the  nearby  country 
pubhc  school,  where  the  annual  term  was  never  more 
than  six  months.  Worked  at  home  on  the  farm  during 
the  rest  of  the  year  and  also  during  vacations  of  after 
school  life. 

The  years  1889  and  '91  were  spent  by  him  in  the 
Indiana  State  Normal,  and  four  years  ('91-95)  in  West- 
minster College,  by  which  he  was  graduated  in  the  clas- 
sical course  in  1895.  Two  years  were  spent  in  teaching 
in  Norfolk,  Va.,  Mission  College.  Attended  Erskine 
Theological  Seminary  at  Due  West,  i897-'99,  and  Al- 
legheny Seminary  1899-1900,  and  graduated  there  in 
the  class  of  1900.  He  united  with  the  U.  P.  Church  at 
Indiana,  Pa.,  at  the  age  of  15,  and  was  licensed  by  the 
Second  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  the  Synod  of  the  South 
April  8th,  1899.  Received  ordination  at  the  hands  of 
the  Pawn'e  Presbytery  (U.  P.)  April  loth,  1901.  H'^ 
served  the  Jewell,  Kansas,  congregdtion  1900-1901,  and 
since  1902  has  served  the  Lebanon  congregation,  Fay- 
etteville,  Tenn. 

Haiiua,  George  Washington. — Son  of  Wm.  Dixon  and 
Harriet  Bradley  Hanna,  \a  is  born  in  Gastonia,  N.  C 
Feb.  26th,  1878.  His  preparatory  studies  were  at  Gas- 
ton Institute,  Gastonia,  under  Prof.  J.  P.  Reid.  Erskine 
College  gave  him  a  diploma  June  10,  1902.  He  is  now 
a  student  in  Erskine  Divinity  Hall. 

Harris,  Eleazar. — Studied  Theology  under  Dr.  John 
M.  Mason,  of  New  York,  graduating  in  1815.  He  taught 
school  awhile  at  Ebenezer  Academy,  York  Co.,  S.  C. 
Was  never  a  settled  pastor,  but  supplied  several  vacant 
churches — preaching  a  part  of  the  time  at  Troy,  Tenn. 
The  dates  of  birth  and  death,  and  other  details  of  his  life, 
are  not  known. 

Harris,  Robert  Sidney. — Son  of  John  Christopher  Har- 
ris  and    Sarah    Martha   Anderson,    was   born    in    Troy, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


157 


Tenn.,  August  24,  1870.  His  mother  died  when  he  was 
about  12  years  of  age.  Until  16  years  old  he  attended 
Obion  College  at  Troy,  Tenn.  Two  years  he  clerked  for 
j\Ir.  J.  S.  Moffatt,  a  merchant  of  Troy. 

Resuming  school  in  January,  1889,  he  entered  the 
University  of  Tennessee  at  Knoxville,  in  September  of 
that  year,  remaining  there  one  year.  In  the  fall  of  1890 
he  entered  the  Sophomore  Class  of  Erskine  College, 
Due  West,  S.  C,  where  his  education  was  completed.  He 
taught   four  years  in   the  public  schools   of  Obion  Co., 

Tenn.,  and  of  Caldwell 
Parish,  Louisiana,  and  the 
year  previous  to  his  enter- 
mg  the  Seminary  was  a 
leacher  in  Obion  College. 
He  joined  the  Troy  A.  R. 
r".  Church  when  about  15 
years  old,  Rev.  T.  P. 
Pressly,  pastor.  Was  re- 
ceived as  a  student  of  the- 
ology by  the  Memphis 
Presbytery  at  Rives,  Tenn., 
m  April,  1897.  Entered 
Erskine  Theological  Sem- 
mary  October,  1896,  and 
completed  the  course  June  10,  1898 ;  was  licensed  to 
preach  at  a  called  meeting  of  the  Memphis  Presbytery  at 
Troy,  Tenn..  July  6,  1898,  and  was  ordained  by  the  same 
Presbytery  at  Bethany,  Miss.,  Nov.  6,  1899.  He  preached 
a  short  while  each  at  Shiloh,  Miss.,  Hinkston  and 
Ebenezer,  Ky.,  Ebenezer  and  Wrens,  Ga.,  and  Edge- 
moore,  S.  C,  and  Huntersville,  N.  C.  Came  to  Hope- 
well, Miss.,  as  supply  in  July,  1899,  was  called  there  Nov. 
20,  1899,  for  one  half  time,  and  was  installed  May  14, 
1900,  Revs.  T.  P.  Pressly"  and  J.  W.  Baird  officiating. 
He  has  also  been  supplying  the  Mt.  Carmel,  Miss.,  con- 
gregation regularly  for  several  years. 


R.      S.      HARRIS. 


158  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

He  was  married  July  6,  1899.  to  Miss  Margaret  Brice, 
of  Troy,  Tenn.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Walter 
Brice  and  Jane  Bonar  Moffatt,  and  was  born  in  Troy, 
February  4,  1871.  She  died  March  12,  1903,  after  an 
illness  of  but  a  few  hours.  Her  memory  is  as  ointment 
poured  forth.  Their  only  child,  Robert  Brice  Harris, 
was  born  August  20,  1900. 

Haslet,  David  C. — Was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Church 
Hill  Academy,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C.  His  parents  were 
John  and  Hannah  Haslet.  His  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Vernon. 

His  educational  advantages  were  good  for  that  day 
and  time.  He  was  for  some  time  a  student  in  Franklin 
College  at  Athens,  Georgia,  but  probably  did  not  grad- 
uate. He  was  licensed  by  the  South  Carolina  Presbytery 
(G.  A.  P.)  at  a  church  known  as  "The  Rocks"  near  Cam- 
bridge, sometimes  called  Ninety-Six.  He  was  licensed 
in  1824.  He  preached  for  a  time  in  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C. 
In  1840  he  decided  to  become  a  member  of  the  A.  R.  P. 
Church,  and  was  received  by  the  Second  Presbytery  at 
Bethel  Church  in  Burk  County,  Georgia.  He  preached 
at  various  places  in  Georgia,  and  was  for  many  years  a 
member  of  the  Georgia  Presbytery.  He  died  near  Mari- 
etta, Cobb  Co.,  Ga.,  in  1855,  aged  about  sixty  years. 

Hayes,  Rev.  TJwiiias  JJ^ylie. — Son  of  William  Riley 
and  Eleanor  Jane  (Whitesides)  Hayes,  was  born  near 
Rock  Hill,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  April  4,  '67.  He  attended 
the  High  School  at  Huntersville,  N.  C,  and  graduated 
in  the  class  of  '95,  in  Erskine  College.  That  summer 
took  a  six  weeks'  course  in  Moody's  Bible  Institute,  Chi- 
cago. He  continued  his  theological  studies  in  Erskine 
Theological  Seminary,  and  was  licensed  by  the  First 
Presbytery,  April  7,  1896,  at  Gastonia,  N.  C.  Fie  labored 
in  Corsicana,  Texas,  sixteen  months  under  the  direction 
of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions.     He  was  ordained  by 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


159 


T.    W.    HAVES. 


the  Texas  Presbytery  at 
Alarlow,  April  18,   1897. 

He  was  installed  pastor 
at  Chicota,  Texas,  in  Jan- 
tiary.  '98.  He  was  mar- 
ried Oct.  6,  '97,  to  Miss 
Estelle,  daughter  of  'Sir. 
John  Alexander  Pope,  of 
Alecklenburg   Co.,    N.    C. 

Air.  Hayes  is  one  of  the 
growing  men  of  the  Sy- 
nod. Universally  accepta- 
ble in  and  out  of  the 
pulpit  and  has  a  bright  fu- 
ture. 


Hciiiphill,  John,  D.  D. — John  Hemphill,  D.  D.,  was  the 
son  of  John  Hemphill  and  Alargaret  Ramsey,  and  was 
born  in  County  Derry,  Ireland,  in  1761. 

In  his  youth  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  tailor  and  learned 
the  trade  of  a  tailor.  After  learning  his  trade,  he  came 
to  America  in  1783.  He  plied  his  trade  in  Philadelphia 
for  a  while,  and  afterwards  became  a  clerk  in  a  clothing 
store.  In  a  few  years  he  had  saved  enough  to  come 
South,  where  he  lived  for  a  time,  and  worked  at  his  trade 
in  the  home  of  his  half-brother.  James,  who  lived  on 
Fishing  Creek  in  York  Co.,  S.  C.  It  is  probable  that 
j\Ir.  Hemphill  had  determined  to  obtain  a  classical  edu- 
cation before  he  left  Ireland,  and  this  may  have  been 
the  reason  of  his  coming-.  While  engaged  in  working  at 
his  trade,  at  the  home  of  his  brother  James,  he  began 
his  studies,  but  whether  under  a  preceptor  or  not,  we  are 
not  able  to  say.  He  commenced  the  study  of  Latin  at 
the  school  of  Rev.  Samuel  Warnock.  a  few  miles  north 
of  where  Union  Church  now  is,  in  Chester  Co.  Some 
time  afterwards  he  left  this  school,  and  entered  the 
school   of  Rev.  Joseph  Alexander,   D.   D..  on   Bullocks 


l6o  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

Creek  in  York  Co.  In  1791  he  entered  the  senior  class 
in  Dickinson  College  in  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  in 
May,  1792. 

Mr.  Hemphill  had  been  a  member  of  the  Covenanter 
Church  in  Ireland,  but  on  coming  to  America,  he  went 
into  the  Associate  Reformed  Church.  Soon  after  gradu- 
ating, he  began  the  stvidy  of  theology  under  the  Rev. 
Alexander  Dobbin,  near  Gettysburg,  Pa.  How  long  he 
remained  under  the  instruction  of  Mr.  Dobbins  is  not 
known,  but  it  is  certain  that  he  completed  his  theological 
course  under  Rev.  ^latthew  Ljnn,  at  Greencastle,  Pa.  He 
was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  at 
Big  Spring  in  May,  1794,  and  was  ordained  by  the  same 
Presbyter}^  in  October  of  the  same  year. 

He  immediately  set  out  on  a  missionary  tour  through 
Virginia  and  the  Carolinas.  He  reached  Hopewell, 
which  was  to  be  the  scene  of  his  future  labors,  in  Febru- 
ary or  March,  1795.  Hopewell  made  out  a  call  for  him, 
but  a  number  of  other  churches  wanted  him  too,  so  he 
did  not  accept  any  one  of  them  until  he  returned  to 
Greencastle,  and  consulted  with  his  wife.  He  accepted 
the  call  to  Hopewell,  and  in  1795.  in  August  or  Septem- 
ber, he  set  out  with  his  young  wife  and  their  little  child, 
on  horseback,  for  the  Scotch-Irish  settlement  on  Rocky 
Creek,  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  and  arrived  sometime  in 
October.  Two  young  men  of  Hopewell  had  gone  to 
Greencastle  to  remove  their  pastor.  They  each  rode  a 
horse  and  led  one,  and  when  they  reached  Pennsylvania, 
they  purchased  a  wagon,  and  brought  their  pastor  and 
his  effects  to  Hopewell.  The  distance  was  about  five 
hundred  miles,  and  it  must  have  been  a  hard  and  tedious 
journey.  It  is  proper  to  state  that  Hopewell  then  in- 
cluded what  is  now  Union  and  New  Hope  Churches  as 
well  as  Hopewell.  These  churches  were  organized  dur- 
ing Mr.  Hemphill's  time,  and  he  was  the  pastor  of  these 
as  well  as  Hopewell. 

Mr.  Hemphill  was  installed  over  Hopewell  on  Sept. 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  i6l 

19,  1796,  and  for  thirty-six  years  he  continued  to  be  the 
pastor  of  Hopewell,  and  foremost  man  of  all  that  region. 

At  his  death,  one,  who  was  not  a  member  of  his  church, 
said  :     "Dr.  IIemi)hill  made  Rocky  Creek  what  it  is." 

W'lien  he  came  to  1  lopewell.  he  and  his  wife  and  a 
child  about  one  year  old,  boarded  at  the  home  of  James 
Strong.  They  afterwards  settled  on  a  plantation  about 
half  a  mile  south  of  Hopewell,  and  there  he  continued 
to  live  until  his  death. 

Dr.  Hemphill  was  a  man  of  great  ability,  and  he  made 
an  impress  on  the  people  of  his  charge,  that  lasts  in  their 
children  of  to-day.  He  was  a  fine  scholar,  a  profound 
theologian,  and  an  able  minister.  He  was  a  man  of  fine 
judgment,  and  of  afifable  and  engaging  manners,  and 
held  the  love  and  confidence  of  all  his  people.  The  de- 
gree of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  on  him  by 
Jefiferson  College  in  1828.  Dr.  Hemphill  died  May  20th, 
1832,  in  the  71st  year  of  his  age,  and  is  buried  in  the 
graveyard  at  Hopewell.  Air.  Hemphill's  first  marriage 
was  to  Jane  Linn,  the  daughter  of  Rev.  ^Matthew  Linn 
of  Greencastle,  I'a.  ."-^he  was  the  mother  of  six  children, 
three  sons  and  three  daughters.  Jennette,  married  Sam- 
uel AlcCalla ;  Margaret  married  William  ■\IofFatt,  and 
Eliza  married  Rev.  John  Wilson.  Matthew  was  a  mer- 
chant, John  was  a  lawyer,  and  afterwards  Chief  Justice 
of  Texas  :and  William  Ramsev,  was  an  able  minister  of 
the  A.  R.  P.  Church.  Mrs.  Hemphill  was  a  godly 
woman,  of  great  strength  of  character.  She  died  in 
1809.  Air.  Hemphill's  second  marriage  occurred  in  181 1, 
to  Mary,  the  widow  of  James  Andrew  Hemphill,  M.  D. 
This  Dr.  Hemjihill  was  no  blood  relation  to  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 

This  Mrs.  Hemphill  was  tli^e  daughter  of  Col.  John 
Xixon.  She  had  four  children,  three  sons  and  one 
daughter.  Hie  daughter  died  in  childhood,  and  one  son, 
David,  died  in  1842.  James  became  a  lawyer,  and  prac- 
ticed his  ])rofession  in  Chester,  S.  C,  and  was  a  man  of 

11 


1 62 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


the  noblest  character,  and  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Chester  in  1902,  be- 
loved by  all  who  knew  him.  Robert  Xixon  farmed  at  the 
old  home.  He  made  a  considerable  fortune,  and  was 
very  liberal  with  his  means,  and  a  man  of  the  highest 
character,  and  a  Christian  of  the  finest  type. 

He  gave  liberally  to  the  College  and  Seminary  during 
his  life,  and  at  his  death  left  several  legacies  to  different 
causes  of  the  Church.  Mrs.  Mary  Hemphill,  was  also  a 
woman  of  the  noblest  character.  She  died  Feb.  ist,  1854, 
aged  75  years. 


HemphiU,  John  Lind. — 
Was  born  in  Abbeville 
County,  S.  C,  Feb.  21st, 
1838.  His  father  was  Rev. 
William  Ramsey  Hemphill, 
his  mother,  Hannah  Smith 
Lind.  His  educational  op- 
portunities were  good.  He 
attended  the  primary 
schools  at  Due  West.  He 
graduated  from  Erskine 
College  in  1858.  He  joined 
the  church  at  Due  West,  in 
April,  1854.  He  was  re- 
ceived as  a  student  of  The- 
ology by  the  Second  Presbytery  in  1859.  He  studied 
Theology  at  Due  West,  and  was  licensed  by  the  same 
Presbytery  at  Bethel.  Laurens  Co..  S.  C,  April  6th,  1861. 
Just  after  the  war  he  preached  for  a  time  in  Ohio.  In 
the  year  1867  he  preached  in  Kentucky,  and  during  a 
few  months  of  the  same  year  in  Newton  Co.,  Ga.  He 
went , to  Virginia,  May,  1868,  and  labored  in  that  State 
ten  years.  He  was  called  by  the  Church  at  Ebcnezer  and 
Broad  Creek,  and  served  them  for  eight  years  from  his 
installation  in  1869.     He  was  sent  bv  Svnod  to  Charlotte 


HEMPHILL. 


SKETCHES     OF     MFXISTERS. 


163 


in  1877-78.  He  began  his  work  in  Georgia  at  White 
Oak  in  December,  1879.  He  was  pastor  here  for  twenty 
years,  being  called  July  30th,  1886,  and  installed  Xovem- 
ber,  1886,  and  dying  Oct.  30th,  1899. 

He  married  Miss  Xancy  Hannah  ^^IcKemy  Sept.  6th, 
1871,  in  Rockbridge  Co.,  \'a.  His  wife  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Col.  John  and  Caroline  ]^lcKemy.  She  was  born 
Oct.  i8th,  1850,  in  Rockbridge  Co.,  Ya.  She  was  the 
mother  of  three  children  and  is  still  living  at  Xewnan, 
Georgia. 

As  a  man  he  was  pure,  honest,  cheerful,  kind.  As  a 
pastor  he  was  faithful,  gentle,  sympathetic.  As  a  preacher 
he  was  plain,  unafifected,  and  presented  as  nearly  the  mind 
of  the  Spirit  in  the  text  as  he  could.  He  was  a  com- 
panion to  the  young  so  that  he  held  the  young  people  to 
him  and  the  Church.  He  was  never  known  to  com- 
promise what  he  believed  to  be  the  teaching  of  the  Word 
of  God,  and  yet  all  who  differed  in  their  belief  had  not 
only  respect  but  a  positive  attachment  for  him. 

The  congregation  at  White  Oak  will  bear  the  impress 
of  his  teaching  and  character  for  many  a  year. 


W.     K.     ilE.Ml'HlLL,     IJ.     D. 


Hei'iiphill.  irHliaiii  Ram- 
sey.— Born  in  Hopewell. 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  March 
14,  1806;  was  a  son  of 
Rev.  John  Hemphill,  D. 
D.,  a  conspicuous  figure 
in  the  history  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Church 
for  the  first  quarter  of  the 
19th  century. 

It  seems  that  he  was 
kept  back  several  years 
from  his  educational  pur- 
suits, being  engaged  with 
his  bmther  in  a  mercan- 
tile ])usiness  in  Providence. 


l64  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

jNlecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  but  in  1831  he  entered  Jeffer- 
son College,  Pa.,  then  under  the  Presidency  of  Rev. 
Matthew  Brown,  D.  D.  He  entered  the  junior  class, 
and  on  the  4th  of  Oct.,  1833,  obtained  a  diploma. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  had  been  admitted  to  the 
communion  of  the  Church,  being  examined  on  that  oc- 
casion by  the  Rev.  William  Blackstock,  who  happened 
to  be  present  as  an  assistant  to  his  father,  and  after  his 
graduation  he  turned  his  attention  to  theology  and  entered 
the  Seminary  at  Allegheny,  at  that  time  under  the  presi- 
dency of  Dr.  John  T.  Pressly. 

He  attached  himself  to  one  of  the  Presbyteries  about 
Pittsburg  during  his  theological  course,  but  that  Presby- 
tery refused  to  license  him  on  the  ground  that  the  can- 
didate was  suspected  of  being  somewhat  heterodox  on 
the  subject  of  slavery.  He  returned  South,  and  was 
licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery  in  June,   1836. 

In  June,  1837,  he  was  ordained  and  installed  by  the 
Second  Presbytery  pastor  of  Cedar  Springs  and  Long 
Cane,  Abbeville  County,  S.  C.  During  the  ten  years  of 
his  pastorate  he  stulied  hard,  preached  with  all  his  might, 
spared  neither  body  nor  mind,  and  succeeded  in  laying 
the  foundation  of  hi^  ministerial  fame. 

In  1848  he  was  elected  by  Synod  to  the  Chair  of 
Latin  in  Erskine  College.  This  position  he  filled  until 
the  College  was  temporarily  broken  up  by  the  war.  In 
1871  he  removed  to  New  Hope,  Madison  Co..  Ky.,  where 
he  remained  three  or  four  years,  until  failing  health 
caused  his  return  to  his  old  home.  Due  West. 

On  Mav  10,  1837,  Dr.  Hemphill  had  married  INliss 
Llannah  Smith  Lind,  the  daughter  of  the  Rev.  John 
Lind,  who  was  for  a  long  time  pastor  of  the  .V.  R.  Church 
at  Greencastle,  Pa.  To  them  were  born  five  children, 
Mrs.  Hemphill  died  Oct.  5th,  1895.  in  the  87th  year  of 
her  age,  at  Cen.  R.  R.  LTemphill's,  Abbeville,  S.  C. 

Attention  has  been  directed  to  Dr.  I  lenii)hill  as  a  stu- 
dent, as  a  pastor,  and  as  a  ])rofessor,  he  also  merits  some 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  165 

attention  as  an  agent,  a  thankless  occnpation,  but  one 
which  the  interest  of  the  Church  and  of  educational  in- 
stitutions require  to  be  performed.  In  185 1  he  helped  to 
raise  money  to  pay  for  the  erection  of  Lindsay  Hall,  in 
1853  to  raise  the  old  Endowment,  since  the  war  to  get 
up  the  Five  Year  Endowment,  and  later,  the  $100,000 
Endowment.  How  much  talking,  how  much  explain- 
ing of  things,  how  much  reasoning  with  people, 
how  many  objections,  how  many  unreasonable  and 
hard  things  have  to  be  listened  to,  how  much 
traveling  in  bad  weather  over  bad  roads,  what  long 
periods  of  absence  from  home  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  min- 
ister who  occupies  the  unenviable  position  of  an  agent. 
A  man  whom  most  people  do  not  want  to  see,  and  one 
whose  absence  is  about  as  agreeable  as  his  presence.  This 
service  Dr.  Hemphill  rendered  the  Church  and  the  Col- 
lege with  skill.  ]:)erseverance.  self-denial,  and  long-suffer- 
ing. He  also  enjoyed  a  wide  reputation  as  a  writer. 
His  newspaper  articles,  if  collected,  would  fill  several  vol- 
umes. These  articles  are  on  a  variety  of  topics — agri- 
culture, trade,  politics,  literature,  travel,  and  theology. 
The  characteristics  of  his  style  were  humor  and  picjuancy. 

He  was  somewhat  of  a  polemic,  indulging  occasional- 
ly in  the  controversial.  About  the  year  1843  and  1844 
he  was  drawn  into  a  controversy  in  the  "Charleston  Ob- 
server" with  "Charlestoniensis"  ( Dr.  Thomas  Smyth) 
on  the  subject  of  Psalmody.  The  fire  was  kept  iip  for 
some  time  with  spirit  on  both  sides,  neither  party  being 
willing  to  admit  that  he  had  been  beaten. 

This  well-known  and  highly  esteemed  minrster  depart- 
ed this  life  at  his  home  in  Due  West,  Abbeville  county, 
S.  C,  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  July  28,  1876,  aged  70 
years.  4  months,  and  14  days. 

Henry.  IIui::h  McMasfer.  D.  D. — Horn  at  Hazlewood. 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C.  Dec.  (),  1852,  was  a  son  of  William  J. 
anrl    Sarah    Henrv.      In    his    childhood,    he    experienced 


l66  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

some  remarkable  escapes — once  from  drowning",  at  an- 
other time  from  a  coal-kiln  with  a  burned  leg,  and  again 
from  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  shotgun  in  the  hands 
of  Rev.  Jno.  A.  \\niite,  then  a  boy  with  him. 

He  enjoyed  good  educational  advantages  for  the  times, 
numbering  amono-  his  instructors  Airs.  Nancv  Ratchford, 
INIatthew  Elder,  James  Hamilton  and  Miss  Sarah  Blain, 
regarded  as  excellent  teachers.  He  graduated  in  Erskine 
College  in  1874,  joined  the  Church  at  Hopewell,  S.  C. 
He  was  received  as  'a  student  of  Theology  by  the  Second 
Presbytery,  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  in  the  fall  of  1874,  and 
was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  same  Presbytery,  Sept. 
20,  1876,  in  Newberry  or  Prosperity,  S.  C,  and  ordained 
at  Due  West,  S.  C.,"Sept.  28,  1878. 

For  16  months  he  labored  in  the  Arkansas  Presbytery, 
in  Drew,  Bradly,  Dorsey  and  Lincoln  Counties,  and  three 
months  at  Sal^ii,  Covington  Co.,  Ala.  He  declined  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  Saline,  Ark.,  but  accepted  a  call 
to  Bethel,  Ala.,  the  latter  part  of  1878,  and  was  installed 
over  this  congregation  in  the  fall  of  1879,  where  he  con- 
tinues to  labor.  He  received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divin- 
ity from  his  Alma  Mater.  He  is  a  man  of  strong  person- 
ality, an  original  and  striking  character,  devoted  to  his 
Church  and  her  institutions. 

He  was  married  October  4,  1881,  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
to  Miss  Mary  Evelyn  Young,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Jno. 
N.  and  Mrs.  Euphemia  E.  (Strong)  Young.  She  was 
born  in  Due  West,  S.  C,  Sept.  14,  1855.  Eight  children 
have  been  born  unto  them. 

Dr.  Henry's  grandfather  was  a  Covenanter  and  lived 
some  86  or  87  years.  Mrs.  Henry  was  a  granddaughter 
of  the  Rev.  Charles  Strong.  One  of  her  ancestors  was 
killed  while  at  worship  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Heron.  Aiidrci^',  D.  D. — Bom  and  educated  in  Scot- 
land, came  to  the  U.  S.  in  1807,  and  after  finishing 
his     literarv     studies     under     Dr.     Alexander     Bullions, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


167 


entered  the  first  Protestant 
seminary  the  Associate  or- 
ganized, at  Service,  Pa., 
April  21,  1794.  The  Char- 
tiers  Presbytery  gave  him 
license  Sept.  i,  181 3,  and 
the  Carolinas  ordained  and 
installed  him  pastor  of  Eb- 
enezer  and  Timber  Ridge, 
Rockbridge  Co.,  Ya..,  April 
1st,  181 5.  He  entered  zeal- 
ously and  systematically 
upon  this  wide  extended 
field,  making  full  proof  of 

ANDREW    HERON',    D.    D.  ,    •  ■     •    ^       " 

his  mmistry. 

His  talents  were  recognized  as  an  educator  as  he  held 
the  Chair  of  Languages  in  Washington  College,  Lexing- 
ton, \'a.,  (now  A\'.  and  L.  University),  for  four  years, 
beginning  in  181 5,  as  also  Trustee  for  thirteen  years. 
The  Trustees  were  loathe  to  give  him  up. 

"Dr.  Heron  was  a  strong  character  and  an  able  profes- 
sor." He  was  Moderator  of  the  Associate  Synod  in 
1820,  her  stated  clerk  from  1827  to  1842,  and  a  liberal, 
punctual  and  influential  member  of  his  Church  courts. 
The  Associate  Synod  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Friday,  May 
29th,  1829,  resolved  to  engage  in  public  covenanting.  This 
was  a  very  solemn  service,  the  acknowledgment  of  sins 
and  the  signing  of  a  bond.  Dr.  A.  Heron  preached  the 
sermon  on  that  memorable  occasion. 

In  May,  1832,  a  call  was  presented  and  accepted  from 
Caesar's  Creek,  Green  Co.,  Ohio,  and  on  the  8th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1833.  he  was  installed  pastor,  having-  removed 
from  \''irginia  the  preceding  August.  In  this  region  he 
rounded  out  exactly  60  years  of  ministerial  life,  being 
licensed  Sept.  i,  181 3.  and  his  death  occurring  at  Cedar- 
ville,  Ohio,  Sept.  i,  1873. 

Washington  and  Lee  L'niversitv  l)ears  unasked  and  im- 


1^8  SKETCHES     OF     lAIINISTERS. 

partial  testimony  thus :  "Dr.  Heron  possessed  strong 
mental  powers  as  well  as  strong  religious  principles.  He 
was  also  both  scholarly  and  literary.  His  memory  was 
wonderfully  retentive.  Toward  the  last,  when  blindness 
cut  him  oft'  from  his  great  resource  of  reading  he  en- 
tertained those  around  him  by  pouring  out  from 
the  stores  of  his  memory  an  astonishing  variety 
of  knowledge.  Shortly  before  his  death  he  repeated 
the  whole  of  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  Psalms  in  the 
Scotch  metrical  version.  When  83  years  old  he 
got  a  severe  fall,  wdiich  confined  him  to  bed  for 
some  time,  during  which  period  he  composed  a  sermon, 
"The  Angels  at  School,"  by  which  he  was  so  inspired  as 
to  rise  from  his  bed,  and  hobbling  on  crutches  go  from 
church  to  church  preaching  his  new  sermon,  and  con- 
ducting all  the  services  with  accuracy  and  propriety,  al- 
though he  could  neither  see  nor  hear.  Thus  ended  the 
career  of  a  strong,  good  man,  of  the  brave  old  Cameron- 
ian  type." 

Hcniaiidcc,  Iiics  Rev. — Son  of  Eutimio  Hernandez  and 
Sostenes  Morato,  was  born  in  an  Indian  village,  Chontla, 
State  of  Vera  Cruz,  on  the  20th  of  April,  1850.  His  father 
was  a  gambler  and  passed  the  most  of  the  time  going 
from  one  fandango  to  another,  and  so  the  son  was  raised 
in  the  midst  of  vice  and  poverty.  He  never  had  any 
shoes  until  he  was  twelve  years  old,  his  dress  being  the 
primitive  wear  for  children  among  the  Indians  fifty  years 
ago.  He  enjoyed  no  educational  advantages  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  old,  and  then  for  only  ten  months.  He 
read  what  books  he  could  find,  and  was  of  a  religious 
turn  of  mind,  but  his  father  forbade  him  to  go  to  the 
Catholic  church.  He  never  inclined  to  the  vice  of  his 
father,  though  he  was  taught  in  all  the  tricks  of  gam- 
bling. 

He  worked  in  the  primitive  way  that  farming  is  yet 
done    in    that    section.       After    marriage    he    was    ap- 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  169 

pointed  a  teacher  at  Chiconcillo  in  the  :Municipal- 
ity  of  Tantimar.  In  August,  1882.  God  in  His 
Providence,  called  the  :\Iissionary  from  Tampico,  through 
the  instrumentality  of  young  Zenon  Zaleta,  who  had 
been  sent  from  Chiconcillo  to  Tampico  to  learn  the 
blacksmith  trade,  and  who  was  converted  in  Tampico. 
The  missionary  and  young  Zaleta  spent  six  weeks  in  Chi- 
concillo in  1882,  and  Sr.  Hernandez  was  then  in  charge 
of  the  school.  The  missionary  left  the  congregation  gath- 
ered in  his  first  visit,  of  which  Sr.  Hernandez  had  been  the 
most  active,  in  his  care  and  from  that  time  he  began  a 
course  of  study  under  the  missionary,  preparatory  to  the 
ministrv.  He  was  received  as  member  of  the  Church 
on  a  public  profession  of  faith  and  bajitized  in  November. 
1882. 

As  the  congregation  grew  and  the  work  began  to 
spread  out.  and  as  there  had  been  no  organization  of  a 
Presbytery  in  the  missionary  field,  he  was  given  a  mis- 
sionary's license  to  preach,  and  resigning  from  the  pub- 
lic school,  he  devoted  his  whole  time  to  the  care  of  the 
Church  and  study,  which  was  carried  on  largely  by  cor- 
respondence. It  was  the  custom  of  the  missionary  in 
Tampico  to  visit  Chiconcillo  twice  a  year,  spending  a 
month  each  visit.  During  this  time  studies  were  re- 
viewed, explained  and  developed.  After  the  organization 
of  the  Tampico  Presbytery,  he  was  by  it  ordained  in 
1888. 

His  field  was  the  most  encouraging  in  the  >nission.  but 
manv  things  have  conspired  to  bring  schisms  in  the 
Church  and  vicinity,  from  which  the  Church  has  suffered. 
His  expositions  of  Scri])ture  were  clear,  his  sermons  all 
carefully  prepared  and  his  ministrations  acceptable. 

In  1872-  he  was  united  in  matrimony  to  Srita  Rosa- 
ria  Lugo  by  the  civil  authority  and  also  by  the  Catholic 
Church.  Their  children  number  five:  Sara.  Alberto. 
Lioba.  Sandalio  and  Juan  Ebenezer.  The  two  eldest 
are  dead,  and  the  youngest,  named  for  Dr.  J.  E.  Pressly. 
is  in  the  training  school  at  Rio  ^^erde. 


I70 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


Hickman,  Rcz'.  Lcicis. — Was  born  on  Kerr's  Creek, 
Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.,  May  30,  1874.  His  father,  Lewis 
Hickman,  was  of  English,  while  his  mother  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent.  He  was  educated  in  Lexington, 
\'a.,  where  he  spent  two  years  in  the  High  School,  and 
three  in  the  Washington  and  Lee  L^niversity. 

He  spent  two  years  in  Erskine  Theological  Semin- 
ary, graduating  in  1900.  He  was  licensed  by  the  First 
Presbytery,  May  8,  1900.  He  supplied  Ebenezer  and 
Hinkston,  Ky.  that  summer  and  fall.  He  then  began 
work  at  Zion,  Ark.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Virginia 
Presbytery  Feb.  6,  1901,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  Zion, 
Ark.,  May  16,  1902.  He  was  married  to  JMiss  Carrie 
Hood  of  Sardis,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  Feb.  27,  1901. 
While  a  student  of  theology  he  ofifered  himself  to  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  He  was  accepted  but  not 
sent  out  at  the  time  for  want  of  means. 

Mr.  Hickman's  brief  ministry  has  been  crowned  with 
marked  success  and  he  ranks  with  those  who  have  a 
passion  for  souls,  and  are  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent 
in  his  Master's  service. 


K.    K.     HOUGH. 


Hough,  Rcr.  R.  E.— 
Was  born  in  Lancaster 
Co.,  S.  C,  May  ist,  1874, 
near  Gill's  Creek,  A.  R. 
Church.  His  early  educa- 
tional advantages  were 
limited,  owing  to  the  death 
of  his  father,  and  poor 
country  schools.  One  term 
in  the  Lancaster  Graded 
school  training  were  all 
the  educational  advantages 
enjoyed  until  he  entered 
Erskine  College  in  1893. 
Mr.    Hough    graduated    in 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  171 

1897,  and  completed  his  Scininarv  course  in  i8(>S.  having" 
taken  one  year  of  the  Seminary  course  in  connection  with 
the  senior  year  in  Erskine. 

He  was  Hcensed  by  the  First  Presbytery  in  Charlotte, 
X.  C,  Ai)ril  5th.  i8(j8,  and  was  ordained  at  a  called  meet- 
ing of  the  same  Presbytery  at  New  Sterling,  N.  C,  Nov. 
26th.  Revs.  J.  C.  Boyd,  J.  H.  Pressly  and  E.  B.  Ander- 
son officiating-.  His  first  work  was  done  in  Iredell  and 
Alexander  Counties  in  1898,  at  Amity,  Elk  Shoals,  Hid- 
denite  and  Taylorsvillc,  remaining  in  this  field  until 
March,  1899.  The  same  year  on  May  31st.  he  was 
called  to  Back  Creek,  X.  C,  three-fourths  of  his  time  to 
be  given  to  Back  Creek  and  one  fourth  to  Prosperity. 
He  was  installed  July  ist,  1899,  Rev.  J.  T.  Chalmers 
presiding.  Rev.  R.  G.  ^filler  preaching  and  addressing 
the  people  and  Rev.  S.  J.  Patterson  its  pastor.  On  the 
28th  of  August,  1902,  Mr.  Hough  accepted  a  call  to 
Wrens  and  Ebenezer,  Ga.,  Revs.  H.  B.  Blakely  and 
R.  F.  Bradley  officiating.  Though  preaching  regularly 
at  Prosperity,  N.  C,  he  was  never  pastor  there.  Mr. 
Hough  is  at  present  pastor  of  Wrens  and  Ebenezer,  Ga. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Nannie  Roddey  of  Rock  Hill, 
S.  C.  in  the  A.  R.  Church  of  that  city  ]>c.  r)th,  1899. 
She  belongs  to  a  distinguished  family  and  is  in  every  way 
a  most  efficient  and  worthy  helpmeet  and  wife. 

.Mr.  Hough's  ministerial  life  has  been  eminenth*  suc- 
cessful. Flis  preaching  is  in  much  plainness,  unction  and 
power,  and  his  work  as  pastor  earnest  and  evangelical. 

I  food,  James  Boycc. — Was  born  in  Sardis  congrega- 
tion, X.  C,  Mecklenburgh  Co..  August  2S>,  1868.  Flis 
father  was  J<^hn  Richard  Hood,  and  his  mother  was  Mary 
Ann  Ilunter.  He  received  his  primary  education  in  the 
school  at  Sardis,  then  spent  three  years  in  tiie  High 
School  at  Hiuitersville.  N.  C.  FTe  spent  four  years  in 
Erskine  College  and  two  in  Erskine  Theological  Semi- 
nary.    He  was  graduated   from  the  former  June,    181)4, 


1/2 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


and  from  the  latter  June, 
1896.  He  was  a  pious 
youth,  connecting  with  the 
church  under  Rev.  John 
Htuiter,  at  Sardis,  in  1883. 
He  was  taken  under  the 
care  of  the  First  Presby- 
tery as  a  student  of  Theol- 
ogy, at  Hopewell,  S.  C,  in 
Sept.,  1894,  and  was  li- 
censed by  the  same  Pres- 
bytery at  Gastonia,  N.  C, 
and  ordained  at  Charlotte, 
N.  C,  bv  a  called  meeting 

J.      li.       tiUllV.  "  *" 

Dec.  15,  1896. 
He  was  ordained  without  a  call  because  he  was  to  go 
to  the  mission  at  Bartow,  Fla.,  and  it  was  thought  best 
that  a  man  occupying  this  mission  be  ordained.  He 
remained  only  four  months  at  Bartow,  when  he  accepted 
a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  Kings  Creek  and  Head  Springs, 
in  Newberry,  S.  C.  The  installation  took  place  on  Satur- 
day before  the  second  Sabbath  of  October,  1897.  He 
continued  to  labor  successfully  here  till  a  call  was  pre- 
sented in  May,  1902,  from  the  vmited  charge  of  Blanche 
and  Prosperity  congregations  of  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.  He 
was  installed  over  these  churches  July,  ic)02.  He  is 
doing  a  good  work  there. 


Hunter.  John. — "During  the  years  beginning  1768  and 
ending  1773,  the  North  of  Ireland  was  drained  of  more 
than  one-fourth  of  its  population."  During  this  period 
came  Henry  Hunter  and  Martha  (Sloan),  having  mar- 
ried in  the  old  country.  They  made  their  wav  from 
Charleston,  S.  C.  When  al)(nit  1788,  Watts"  version  of 
the  Psalms  was  unwillinglv  thrust  on  a  minoritv  at  Pop- 
lar Tent,  he  with  others  organized  Prosiieritx-  A.  R. 
church,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  X.  C.     From  such  descended 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  173 

a  grandson,  [olin,  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret,  Nov. 
13th,  18 1 4.  in  Ak'cklcnbnrg-  Co.,  X.  C.  Spending  two 
years  in  Jefferson  College,  Pa.,  he  graduated  in  1841. 
After  a  full  course  in  the  Seminar\-  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
he  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery,  April  18,  1843. 
Serving  vacancies  in  the  First  Presbytery,  in  the  early 
summer  of  1844,  in  X'irginia  and  West  Virginia,  he  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  Back  Creek,  Prosperity 
and  Gilead,  Alecklenburg  Co.,  X.  C,  July  24th,  1844. 
From  the  two  latter  he  was  released  April  14th,  185 1. 

In  consequence  of  ill  health  he  demitted  Back  Creek 
Sept.  5th,  1855,  and  removed  to  Allegheny  Co.,  X".  C, 
where  the  next  year  he  organized  Laurel  Spring  congre- 
gation from  some  families  who  had  removed  there  from 
Mecklenl)urg  and  other  counties.  After  some  three  years 
service  this  colony  removing  and  his  health  improved, 
he  was  installed  pastor  of  Sardis  congregation.  X^C,  Jan. 
II,  i85().  Always  zealous  in  shepherding  his  flock  and  in 
mission  work,  in  1874  a  ring  of  his  congregation  built 
Ebenezer  to  the  west.  In  1886  Thyatira  to  the  east 
erected  a  house  of  worship.  As  soon  as  this  house 
could  be  used  he  appointed  preaching  March,  1886,  and 
came,  tied  his  horse  to  a  bush  and  as  he  pulled  through 
the  brush  to  reach  the  door  remarked  :  "This  looks  like 
the  church  was  breaking  forth  on  the  right  hand  and  left. 
This  is  the  second  daughter  of  Sardis."  He  then  read 
I  Cor.,  13  Chapter,  and  taking  for  his  text  verse  13,  be- 
gan his  sermon.  In  a  few  minutes  it  was  seen  that  some 
thing  was  wrong.  As  he  seemed  to  be  falling,  liis  son. 
Dr.  L.  W.  Hunter  caught  him.  1  le  was  ]:)aralyzed.  This 
was  the  first  service  in  Thyatira  and  his  last  effort  to 
l^reach.  This  charge  was  demitted  Aug.  31,  1886.  He 
lingered  for  nearly  four  years,  ripening  for  that  heaven 
to  which  he  had  so  often  directed  sorrowing  hearts, 
falling  asleep  IMay  16,  1800.  July  i8th.  1843.  his  life  was 
linked  in  matrimony  with  Miss  Isabella  11.  Peoples  of 
Mecklenljure'  Co..  X'^.  C.     She  was  the  mother  of  his  four 


174 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


children.  Some  time  after  her  death  he  contracted  a  sec- 
ond marriage  with  Airs.  Martha  Simonton  Bell  of 
Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  Dec.  lo,  1861,  whose  death  again 
left  him  bereaved  May  9th,  1865.  He  was  married  the 
third  time,  Oct.  9th,  1866,  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  McDill  of 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C.     Her  death  occurred  June  27th,  1894. 

Rev.  John  Hunter  was  scrupulously  honest  and  con- 
scientious in  his  business  dealings. 

A  most  indulgent  and  kind  hearted  father  and  hus- 
band and  given  to  hospitality  his  home  was  a  bright  spot 
for  his  family  and  a  benediction  for  guests.  As  a  pastor 
he  was  kind,  sympathizing  and  faithful,  and  his  minis- 
try was  blessed. 

As  a  preacher  he  was  in  some  respects  unique,  full  of 
beautiful,  lofty  imagery,  such  as  his  celebrated  "eagle," 
sermon.  He  caught  the  attention  from  the  first  and 
there  was  not  a  listless  ear  nor  a  sleepy  hearer.  His  pe- 
culiar intonation,  his  commanding,  tall  for(n,  his  in- 
tensely earnest  manner,  the  vividness  of  his  imagination 
the  freedom  of  his  extempore  speech  made  him  an  in- 
tensely interesting  speaker.  The  writer  heard  in  187.8 
Dr.  John  Hall  of  New  York  in  Atlanta,  Ga.  In  manner 
and  gesture  and  impressiveness  he  reminded  us  of  Father 
Hunter. 

Intensely  loyal  in  his  convictions,  a  strict  construction- 
ist, a  master  of  wit  and  sarcasm,  a  dangerous  antagon- 
ist in  debate,  a  magnetism,  an  enthusiasm  that  stirred, 
all  this  with  tireless  energy  and  nerves  of  steel  he  laid  on 
the  altar  of  God's  glory.  Eternity  alone  will  reveal  the 
trophies  of  forty-seven  years  ministry. 

Hunter,  James  Sainiiel  Ainrsi. — Son  of  Lorenzo  and 
Anna  Boyce  Hunter,  was  born  at  Sardis,  N.  C,  Nov.'  13. 
1847.  Early  in  life  he  felt  the  strivings  of  the  Spirit  and 
prayed  God  to  send  some  one  to  talk  to  him  about  his 
salvation.  His  prayer  was  answered.  He  was  received 
into  Sardis  church. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  175 

Haviii"^  finished  his  aca- 
demic studies  at  Sardis 
school,  he  entered  Erskine 
College  in  1869,  graduat- 
ing in  1 87 1.  At  once  he 
decided  for  the  ministry 
and  was  received  by  the 
First  Presbytery  in  1871. 
Completing  his  theological 
studies  in  the  theological 
Seminary  at  Due  \\'est,  he 
was  by  the  First  Presby- 
tery licensed  in  1873  at 
Ebenezer    church    and    or- 

J.     S.    A.    HUNTER.  ,     ■  i        ^    e         T       •  O 

darned  at  Sardis  m  1874. 

He  was  married  to  Emma  Jane  McDill  of  Due  West, 
S.  C,  ]\rarch  22,  1877,  who,  after  a  life  of  rare  faithful- 
ness and  singular  beauty  in  the  service  of  her  Lord  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus  at  Ciudad  del  2^Iaiz  Nov.  12,  1901.  To 
them  were  born  seven  daughters  and  two  sons. 

From  1873  to  1879  he  labored  in  Arkansas  Presbytery 
with  the  exception  of  the  year  1876,  which  was  spent  in 
the  Kentucky  Presbytery.  Nov.  28,  1879,  he  was  in- 
stalled over  Hickory  Springs  and  Shady  Grove  congre- 
gations of  the  Arkansas  Presbytery,  which  pastoral 
relation  existed  till  1887,  when  Synod  appointed  him  and 
Airs.  Hunter  as  Foreign  jMissionaries  to  Mexico.  Al- 
ready they  had  been  considering  the  claims  of  Foreign 
Missions,  hence  they  received  Synod's  appointment  as 
God's  open  door.  At  once  they  heeded  the  call,  leaving 
for  Tampico,  Mexico,  where  they  studied  the  Spanish 
for  one  year.  They  were  assigned  to  Ciudad  del  Maiz 
in  the  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  where  they  have  labored 
spending  and  being  spent  for  the  salvation  of  that,  and 
the  surrounding  towns.  Ciudad  del  Maiz  was  most 
fanatical  and  would  have  proved  too  nuich  for  their 
faith  had  thcx"  not  learned  alreadv  to  draw  heavilv  on  the 


176 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


strength  of  Him  who  said  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  ahvays." 
So  bitter  was  the  opposition  that  at  first  none  would  at- 
tend the  services.  Often  rocks  were  thrown  in  the  room 
where  the  services  were  held. 

Though  seemingly  they  were  spending  their  strength 
for  naught,  they  labored  on  till  after  two  years  the  Lord 
of  the  harvest  gladdened  their  heart  by  the  reception  of 
II  charter  members  in  the  Church.  Up  to  1903  his 
efforts  have  fruited  in  the  reception  of  82  members,  two 
of  whom  have  entered  the  Gospel  ministry. 

From  the  first  this  worker  has  learned  the  supreme  im- 
portance of  putting  the  Bible  into  the  hands  of  the  people. 
Wherever  he  goes  he  carries  a  few  Bibles  and  tracts  and 
in  season  and  out  of  season  he  seeks  to  sow  thus  beside 
all  waters. 

To  a,  large  extent  he  has  felt  the  motive  power  that 
constrained  Paul,  to  free  himself  from  the  blood  of  all 
men  by  giving  the  Gospel  to  all  within  his  reach.  Within 
a  radius  of  a  hundred  miles  he  visits  the  ranches  on 
horseback,  which  costs  no  little  sacrifice.  However  he 
endures  it  all  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ. 

On  Oct.  28th,  1903,  Mr.  Hunter  was  married  the 
second  time  to  Miss  Rosemma  Virginia  Beamer  of  Al- 
toona.  Pa. 

Hunter,Mrs.J.S.A. — The  name  of 
the  late  Mrs.  J.  S.  A.  Hunter  is  justly 
dear  to  an  extensive  circle  of  surviv- 
ing relatives  and  friends ;  it  is  held 
in  afifectionate  remembrance  by  thous- 
ands of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church. 

Her  maiden  name  was  Emma  Jane 
McDill,  daughter  of  William  Wiley 
McDill  and  Jane  Taylor  McDill.  She 
was  born  at  Newberry,  So.  Ca.,  on  the 
i8th  of  May,  1855.  We  have  no  event 
in  her  early  life  worthy  of  partictilar 
MRS.   HUNTEu        Tccord    in    a    sketch    of    this    nature. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


177 


When  quite  }oung",  her  family  moved  to  Abbeville  County, 
S.  C,  and  settled^^near  Due  West.  She  enjoyed  the  edu- 
cational advantages  offered  at  Due  \\'est,  which  were 
all  calculated  to  develop  her  and  prepare  her  for  a  useful 
life.  She  graduated  from  the  Due  West  Female  College 
under  the  Presidency  of  the  late  Dr.  J.  I.  Bonner,  in  the 
class  of  1873. 

Raised  up  and  tutored  in  the  spiritual  atmosphere  of 
which  Due  West  is  proverbial,  she  was,  when  yet  a  girl, 
admitted  into  full  membership  of  the  Church,  during 
the  pastorate  of  Dr.  W.  L.  Pressly,  and,  as  she  grew  in 
years  and  experience,  by  her  uniform  piety  and  the  zeal- 
ous ardor  she  displayed,  she  became  not  onl_\-  a  pillar  in 
the  Church,  but  an  ornament  to  the  cause  of  missionary 
labor. 

On  the  22nd  of  jNIarch,  1877,  she  was  wedded  to  the 
Rev.  J.  S.  A.  Hunter  at  the  home  of  Dr.  James  Boyce 
near  Due  West  by  Dr.  W.  ]\I.  Grier.  Shortly  after  the 
marriage  she  went  with  her  husband  to  his  field  of  labor 
in  the  State  of  Arkansas.  As  a  pastor's  wife,  she  took 
an  active  part  in  her  husband's  work  and  was  beloved 
by  the  members  of  the  two  congregations  he  served. 

About  ten  years  after  their  settlement  in  Arkansas,  she 
became  deeply  impressed  with  the  foreign  missionary 
work,  and,  as  the  Church  of  her  choice  and  love  was 
calling  for  a  teacher  in  the  ^Mexican  field,  it  found  an 
earnest  response  in  her  heart.  With  her  Jiusband,  their 
services  were  tendered  to  the  Foreign  ^Missionary  Board, 
as  missionaries  to  Mexico.  The  meeting  of  the  Board, 
at  which  they  were  formally  accepted,  was  held  on  the 
26th  of  September,  1887,  and  the  following  is  the  minute 
on  record : 

"Whereas,  The  Uoard  believes  that  it  is  advisable  to 
send  out  two  missionaries  into  the  Mexican  field,  a  male 
and  a  female,  and, 

Whereas.  The  Board  believes  that  the  Rev.  J.  S.  A. 
Hunter  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Fmma  Hunter,  arc  eminently 
12 


178  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

suitable  for  this  work ;  therefore  resolved :  That  they 
be  cordially  recommended  to  Synod  a^  co-laborers  for 
our  missionary  in  [Mexico. ''  This  resolution  was  ap- 
proved by  Synod  and  the  new  missionaries  were  ordered 
to  proceed  at  the  earliest  convenience  to  their  field. 

]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Hunter  arrived  at  Tampico,  Mexico, 
in  January,  1888.  About  one  year  was  spent  in  Ta'mpico 
in  the  study  of  the  Spanish  language.  The  town  of  El 
Maiz,  State  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  was  chosen  by  the  Board 
for  the  scene  of  their  labors,  and  in  May,  1889,  they  re- 
paired to  their  future  home. 

In  Mrs.  Hunter,  her  husband  had  a  most  devoted  and 
faithful  co-worker.  Her  work  in  the  school  and  in  the 
(Jhurch  lives,  as  a  precious  ointment  poured  forth.  In 
complete  confidence,  she  dedicated  her  self  in  body  and 
soul  to  the  Master,  and  His  service  and  His  work  was 
her  meat  and  drink.  The  benighted,  the  ignorant  and 
the  poor,  found  in  her  one,  who  would  minister  to  their 
necessities,  spiritual  and  temporal,  with  the  most  patient 
attention  and  affectionate  sympathy.  She  was  an  affec- 
tionate wife  and  a  good  mother.  She  was  the  mother 
of  seven  children,  four  of  whom  survive  her,  Mrs. 
Ximena  Reid,  Misses  Katrina  and  Elveree  and  James 
Hunter. 

Amid  the  ])reparation,  and  in  anticipation  of  a  mission- 
ary tour  in  company  with  her  husband  to  the  ranchos 
adjacent  to  their  center  of  work,  the  call  of  the  Master 
came.  After  a  brief  illness  of  about  eight  days  and  in 
intense  suft'ering,  which  she  bore  with  Christian  forti- 
tude, her  spirit  took  its  flight.  She  fell  on  sleep  at  the 
missionar^-  home  in  El  Maiz,  the  scene  of  her  missionary 
labors,  on  the  12th  of  November,  1901.  and  her  body 
rests  in  the  city  cemetery  of  her  adopted  home.  Her 
death  was  peaceful — a  triumph. 

A  while  before  her  death  she  said  :  "My  peace  is  mar- 
velous." To  her  children  in  the  United  States,  the  fol- 
lowing is  a   ])art   of  her   last   message,   "1    have   always- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


179 


loved  you  with  a  great  love,  and  had  a  faint  hope  to  go 
back  and  unite  my  love  with  yours  in  my  declining 
years,  but  God  has  indicated  to  me  now  a  more  glorious 
home.  And  I  want  you  to  participate  of  the  celestial 
joy  I  feel  to-day  and  not  to  weep  for  me.  Farewell ! 
till  you  come  up  higher."  The  funeral  services  were 
directed  and  the  sermon  preached  by  the  Rev.  J.  R. 
Edwards.  The  members  of  the  Church,  which  she 
helped  to  plant  and  nurture,  and  a  large  concourse  of 
friends  followed  all  that  was  mortal  of  Mrs.  Hunter  to 
her  last  resting  place. 

"Soldier  of  the  Cross,  well  done, 

Rest  from  thy  lov'd  employ ; 
The   battle's    fought,    the   victory's   won, 

Enter   thy    Master's    joy." 

'Sirs.   Hunter   was   the   author   of  a   small   volume   of 
prayers  in  Spanish. 


Hunter,  JVilliain  May. 
— Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter  is 
the  son  of  Robert  B.  Hun- 
ter and  Rebecca  M.  Jones, 
and  was  born  in  ^lecklen- 
burg  Co.,  N.  C,  Feb.  ist. 
1850.  He  was  the  son  of 
godly  parents,  and  w^as 
well  trained  in  the  home. 
He  graduated  from  Er- 
skine  College  in  1872.  in 
a  class  of  nineteen,  nine 
of  whom  became  minis- 
ters. In  Sept.,  1872,  he 
was  received  as  a  student 
of  theology  by  the  First  Presbytery,  at  Pisgah,  X.  C,  and 
prosecuted  his  studies  in  Erskine  Seminary,  being  li- 
censed by  the  First  Presbytery,  at  Union  Church  in  Sept., 
1874.     He  was  sent  to  the  mission  at  Charlotte,  X.  C, 


W.    M.    HUNTER 


l8o  SKETCHES     OF    ^IINISTERS. 

in  Oct.,  1874,  and  was  ordained  at  that  place,  Oct.  19th, 
1875.  He  spent  three  years  at  Charlotte,  and  then  spent 
one  year  as  stated  supply  at  White  Oak  and  Doraville, 
Ga. 

In  September,  1878,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  New 
Stirling-  and  Elk  Shoals,,  N.  C.  While  laboring  in  this 
charge  he  began  preaching  at  Salem,  or  Hiddenite  as  it 
is  is  now  called,  and  by  order  of  the  Presbytery  organ- 
ized a  church  there  in  1883.  While  pastor  of  these 
churches,  the  house  of  worship  was  built  at  Elk  Shoals, 
and  from  April,  1884,  to  April  1885,  he  was  stated  sup- 
ply at  Amity,  N.  C.  In  October,  1888,  Mr.  Hunter  de- 
mitted  his  charge,  and  removed  to  Huntersville,  N.  C,  and 
was  Professor  of  Greek  and  Mathematics  in  the  Hunters- 
ville High  School  from  October,  1888  to  December,  1892. 

While  professor  in  the  H.  H.  School  he  began  to  labor 
at  Prosperity  Church  in  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  and 
was  installed  pastor  in  October,  1889,  and  continued  un- 
til February,  1896.  Pie  was  installed  pastor  at  Gilead, 
Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  in  May,  1893,  and  continued 
pastor  until  December,  1898.  In  December,  1898,  he 
removed  to  Monitor,  W^st  Virginia,  and  became  stated 
supply  at  New  Lebanon,  where  he  still  continues. 

Mr.  Hunter  was  'married  in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  Sept. 
nth,  1877,  to  Miss  Martha  Monica  Nisbet,  who  has 
borne  him  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs. 
Hunter  is  the  daughter  of  John  Nisbet  and  Jane  Ross, 
and  was  born  near  Coddle  Creek,  Cabanas  Co.,  N.  C. 
May   1 6th,   1850. 

Irvin,  Robert. — Or  Irwin  as  the  name  is  sometimes 
spelled,  was  born  in  Ireland,  but  no  definite  record  has 
been  left  of  the  exact  date  and  place  of  his  birth,  or  of 
his  parentage.  He  was,  without  doubt,  born  of  pious 
parents,  who  gave  him  the  advantages  of  whatever  mea- 
gre educational  facilities  their  circumstances  allowed. 

He   studied    theology    under   Rev.    Alexander    Porter, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  igi 

pastor  at  Cedar  Springs,  and  was  one  of  the  three  elders 
present  when  the  Second  Presbytery  was  organized  at 
Cedar  Springs,  April  8,  1801.  At  this  meeting  of  Pres- 
bytery "Father"  Irwin  was  received  as  a  student  of  the- 
ology, and  on  Nov.  18,  1802,  he  was  ordained  at  Long 
Cane.  His  trial  discourse  on  this  occasion  seems  to  have 
been  of  a  length  at  least,  to  satisfy  the  most  exacting  of 
"auld  lichts."  It  called  forth  the  remark  of  one  of  the 
elder  Calhouns  going  home,  "He  told  us  all  that  ever  had 
transpired,  all  that  is  now  transpiring,  and  if  they  had 
only  let  him  alone,  I  suppose  that  he  would  have  told 
us  all  that  was  to  come."  It  seems  that  they  stopped 
him  at  the  end  of  the  second  head,  for  want  of  time 
probably. 

For  nearly  two  years  after  his  ordination  he  acted  as 
stated  supply  at  Long  Cane,  and  Cedar  Springs.  Some 
time  in  his  early  ministerial  history  he  received  a  call  to 
Due  West  Corner.  In  1803  he  was  installed  pastor  of 
Generostee,  and  here  he  lived  and  labored  until  his  death, 
Sept.  9,  1823.  This  pastorate  of  twenty  (20)  years  was 
the  only  one  he  ever  held. 

His  first  wife.  Miss  Little,  of  Jefferson  Co.,  Ga.,  lived 
but  a  short  time,  and  after  his  settlement  at  Generostee, 
he  married  Eleanor  Gordon,  sister  of  John  Gordon,  and 
Aunt  of  Rev.  Gilbert  and  Xiel  Gordon.  They  had  no 
children,  but  an  adopted  son  lived  with  them  and  cared 
for  Mrs.  Irwin  until  her  death,  forty-two  years  after  that 
of  her  husband. 

Mr.  Irwin  purchased  a  portion  of  land  255  acres,  near 
the  church  where  he  resided,  and  in  his  will  bequeathed 
the  land  to  Generostee  Church,  the  income  each  year  to 
support  the  Gospel  in  that  church.  Mrs.  Irwin  was  to 
remain  on  the  land  as  long  as  she  lived,  and  after  her 
death  the  proceeds  were  to  go  to  the  support  of  the 
pastor. 

]\Ir.  Irwin  was  very  "near-sighted,"  so  much  so  that 
he  could  do  no  manual  labor,  so  his  whole  time  was  de- 


l82  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

voted  to  his  pastoral  work  and  pulpit  exercises.  He 
had  the  greatest  part  of  the  Bible  committed  to  memory, 
and  when  the  Sabbath  da}'  came  the  whole  day  was  lit- 
erally spent  in  the  worship  of  God." 

Jolinston,  J.  Erviii. — Rev.  J.  E.  Johnston  is  the  son  of 
Thomas  Johnston  and  Sarah  Bourland  Neill,and  was  born 
near  Antrim,  Ohio,  Dec.  12th,  1856.  He  graduated  at 
JNIuskingum  College,  Xew  Concord,  Ohio,  in  1886,  and 
was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  Mononga- 
hela  Presbytery  of  the  U.  P.  Church,  in  Dec,  1890.  He 
attended  McCormick,  Allegheny,  and  Erskine  Semina- 
ries, and  was  licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  of  the 
A.  R.  P.  Church  in  April  1891,  and  was  ordained  by  the 
same  Presbytery  in   Nov.,    1891. 

After  preaching  for  awhile  at  Neely's  Creek,  S.  C, 
he  had  charge  of  the  mission  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  from  xA-Ug., 
1891,  until  June,  1893.  He  afterwards  supplied  churches 
at  Salem,  Ala.,  Sharon,  Gill's  Creek,  and  Buford  Monu- 
ment in  S.  C,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  New  Hope, 
in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  in  May,  1897,  ^^''^1  continued  pas- 
tor until  Jan.,  1900,  when  he  resigned  and  removed  to 
Fillmore,  California,  and  is  stated  supply  of  a  Presby- 
terian Church  at  that  place. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  married  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  Sept. 
19th,  1892,  to  Miss  Anna  Young,  daughter  of  Rev.  J. 
N.  Young,  for  forty  years  Professor  of  iMathematics  in 
Erskine  College.  Mrs.  Johnston  was  born  at  Due  West. 
S.  C,  Dec.  28th,  1858,  and  is  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren. 

Johnson,  Oliver. — The  fifth  child  of  Henry  McKinney 
Johnson  and  ^lary  Eliza  Bouchillon,  was  born  at  Bor- 
deaux, in  /Vbbcville  County,  South  Carolina,  July  30, 
1866:  was  graduated  from  Erskine  College,  June  27, 
1888,  and  from  the  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  ]\Iay 
8,  1894;  was  licensed  to  preach  ]\Tay  18,  1893,  ^l^'  the  Sec- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


183 


ond  A.  R.  Presbytery  in 
session  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
having-  at  that  time  com- 
pleted two  years  of  the 
theological  course  at 
Princeton ;  spent  the  sum- 
mer of  1893  with  the 
church  in  Atlanta ;  sup- 
plied the  pulpit  of  the  First 
A.  R.  P.  Church  at  Char- 
lotte during  the  summer  of 
1894,  the  regular  pastor 
being  absent  for  surgical 
treatment ;  was  installed  as 

I  IJ\  K:<     JOHNSON.  r      1  1  •  t-. 

pastor  01  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  Church  at  Leslie,  in  York  County, 
S.  C,  October  18,  1894;  was  married  October  30,  1901, 
to  ]\Iiss  Tirzah  Christine  Elliott,  of  A\"'innsboro,  S.  C.  a 
daughter  of  the  late  Henry  Laurens  Elliott  and  Tirzah 
Christine  Ketchin.  daughter  of  Thomas  Ketchin. 

Air.  Johnson,  in  May.  1900.  bore  the  fraternal  greet- 
ings of  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Synod  of 
the  South  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  United  Pres- 
b\terian  Church  in  session  at  Chicago.  He  was  an  in-i 
vited  speaker  at  the  Young  People's  Christian  L^nion 
Convention,  held  at  Winona  Lake,  Ind.,  in  July,  1901, 
and,  as  representing  the  "Seceders"  of  the  South,  was 
presented  on  the  floor  of  the  convention  with  a  gavel 
made  of  wood  from  Gairney  Bridge,  Scotland.  Lmder 
the  words  "Gairney  liridge"  on  the  gavel  was  inscribed 
the  date,  "December,  1733,"  the  latter  being  the  year  in 
which  Ebenezer  Erskine  and  his  coadjutors  met  at  Gair- 
ney Bridge  and  organized  the  movement  which  came  to 
be  popularly  known  in  Scotland  as  the  "Secession" 
Church,  and  which  was  the  progenitor  in  this  countrv 
of  the  ".Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian"  Church,  the 
members  of  which  are  still  familiarh-  known  as  "Se- 
ceders." 


l84  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

Mr.  Johnson,  by  election  of  the  Synod,  has  been  a 
director  of  the  Erskine  Theological  Seminary  since  No- 
vember, 1897,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions since  November,  1900. 

Mr.  Johnson,  while  in  college,  was  awarded  the  med- 
als offered  by  the  Euphemian  Literary  Society  to  best 
declaimer  in  Freshman  class  and  best  essayist  in  Junior 
class ;  was  declared  winner  in  essay  contest,  had  between 
members  selected  from  Euphemian  and  Philomathean 
Societies ;  was  orator  in  his  Junior  year  to  present  di- 
plomas of  Euphemian  Society  to  its  graduating  mem- 
bers, and  spokesman  in  his  Senior  year  to  respond  for 
his  classmates  on  receiving  the  Society  diplomas ;  made 
the  "Senior  Farewell"  in  the  "Class  Day"  exercises  of 
his  graduation  year. 

Mr.  Johnson,  by  invitation,  has  officiated  as  chaplain 
in  both  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States  Congress.  In  his  speech,  vigor  of  thought, 
strength  and  simplicity  in  expression,  are  marked  char- 
acteristics. 

Mr.  Johnson,  on  the  side  of  his  mother,  is  of  the 
Huguenot  stock  which  settled  at  Bordeaux  in  Abbeville 
County,  S.  C,  in  1764;  on  the  side  of  his  father,  his  an- 
cestors were  among  the  early  settlers  in  East  Tennessee. 
The  .married  life  of  his  paternal  grandparents,  to  whom 
thirteen  children,  his  father  being  the  fourth,  were  born, 
was  forty-nine  years,  five  months  and  ten  days ;  the  mar- 
ried life  of  his  maternal  grandparents,  to  whom  fifteen 
children,  his  mother  being  the  ninth,  were  born,  was  fifty- 
two  years,  eight  months  and  ten  days. 

Kennedy,  Isaac  Newton. — Son  of  William  Patton 
Kennedy  and  ]\Iargaret  Elizabeth  McLain,  was  born 
August  5,  1874,  at  Wideman's,  Abljcvillc  Co.,  S.  C.  He 
attended  several  primary  country  schools,  also  at  Due 
West,  S.  C.  Fie  entered  Erskine  College  and  graduated 
in  June.  iHc;^.     He  joined  the  church  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


185 


I.     N.      KENNEDY. 


in   1887,  and  was  received 
as   a   student   of  Theology 
by   the   Second    Presbytery 
at  Doraville,  Ga.,  in  Octo- 
ber,   1893.   and    prosecuted 
his   Theological    studies   at 
Erskine  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  Due  West,   S.   C. 
He    was    licensed    at    Wel- 
ford,     S.     C,     April     13, 
1895,    and    was    called    to 
the   pastorate   of  Elk   Vsd- 
ley    church,     Lincoln     Co., 
Tenn.,   in   October  of  that 
year,  and  ordained  and  in- 
stalled Nov.   10,   1895,  and 
there  continues  to  labor. 
He  was  married  in   Newberry  Co.,   S.   C,  November 
22,   1899,  to  ]\Iiss  Mary  Emma  Carlisle.     She  was  born 
in  Newberry,  S.  C,  October  16,  1878,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Dr.   Richard   Coleman   Carlisle   and   Emma   E.    Ren- 
wick.     Three  children  have  been  born  unto  them. 

Kennedy,  Rez'.  E.  B. — 
The  parents  of  Rev.  E.  B. 
Kennedy  were  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Patton  Kennedy  and 
Mrs.  Margaret  Elizabeth 
McClain  Kennedy.  He 
was  born  on  Long  Cane 
Creek,  in  the  southern 
part  of  Abbeville  County, 
South  Carolina.  \\'hen  he 
was  still  a  small  boy,  his 
parents  removed  to  Due 
West,  in  the  northern  part 
of  said  county. 

The  object  of  this  move 
was  to  net  closer  to  the  colleges  located  in  that  town,  in 


K.      p..      KRXNEDV. 


l86  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

which  they  intended  to  educate  their  large  family  of  chil- 
dren. Of  these,  there  were  eight,  four  boys  and  four 
girls,  living  at  that  time,  and  of  school  age. 

At  an  early  age,  Mr.  Kennedy  was  entered  as  a  stri- 
dent in  Erskine  College  ;  and  at  the  end  of  a  four  years' 
course  of  study,  was  graduated,  while  still  rather  under 
the  usual  age,  in  the  summer  of  1889. 

On  leaving  college,  he  taught  school  six  years,  three 
of  which  was  in  the  common  schools  in  South  Carolina 
and  Alabama.  From  the  fall  of  1892  until  the  close  of 
the  collegiate  year  in  1894,  he  filled  the  chair  of  Greek 
and  German  in  Erskine  College.  During  the  year  1895, 
he  took  a  course  of  study  in  Yale  College,  and  was  given 
the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  by  that  institution.  Re- 
turning to  Due  West  for  a  short  time,  he  accepted  a 
school  in  A'ictoria,  Texas,  where  he  taught  one  year. 

When  the  session  of  1896  opened  in  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Due  West,  he  entered  it. 

He  completed  the  course  in  the  Seminary  in  two  years, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  session  in  1898,  received  licen- 
sure. 

Before  he  was  licensed,  Mr.  Kennedy  received  a  call 
from  the  congregation  at  Bartow,  Florida,  to  become  the 
pastor  of  that  people,  as  soon  as  his  studies  in  the  Semi- 
nary would  be  finished.  As  he  had  signified  his  intention 
to  accept  this  call,  Presbytery  had  arranged  that  his  or- 
dination should,  as  soon  as  convenient  follow  licen- 
sure; and  that  the  Revs.  C.  S.  Young  and  S.  W.  Reid 
should  provide  for,  and  conduct  the  services  of  installa- 
tion at  Bartow,   Florida. 

In  the  early  part  of  July,  he  reached  Bartow,  and 
preached  his  first  sermon  on  the  second  Sabbath  (loth) 
of  that  month. 

On  the  third  Sabbath  (20th)  of  August,  1898,  the 
brethren  named  above,  in  the  presence  of  a  large,  appre- 
ciative audience,  and  a  delighted  congregation,  perf(~)rmed 
the  solemn  services  of  installation. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  187 

The  Bartow  members  had  been  aware  from  the  first, 
that,  to  call  a  young  and  promising  mmister  to  take 
charge  of  a  small  congregation  not  yet  beyond  the 
changes  incident  to  frontier  life,  far  removed  from  other 
churches  of  his  own  denomination,  and  he  a  minister 
that  could  easily  find  a  home  in  a  larger,  wealthier,  and 
more  central  congregation,  was  asking  him  to  make  a 
great  sacrifice.  They  soon  found,  however,  that  it  was 
the  preference  of  the  one  they  had  selected  to  build  for 
himself  rather  than  on  another's  foundation. 

To  this  character  of  the  work,  :SIr.  Kennedy  at  once 
addressed  his  efforts.  The  building  has  not  been  as 
rapid  as  he  doubtless  hoped,  still  his  labors  have  never 
relaxed;  and,  if  removals  were  less  active,  he  would  to- 
day have  a  congregation  ranking  among  the  fullest  in 
numbers  in  his   Presbytery. 

Kennedy,  /an/ 1^^.— Reinforcing  Revs.  Armstrong  and 
Fulton,  pioneer  Associate  ministers  to  Kentucky,  came 
this  licentiate  in  1796,  of  Irish  birth,  1768,  and  Scottish 
education.  Spending  some  time  in  mission  work  in 
Washington,  Knox  and  Blount  counties,  Tenn.,  he  was 
ordained  and  installed  by  the  Kentucky  Presbytery,  1807, 
pastor  of  Salem,  Knox  Co.  Here  he  labored  faithfully 
far  from  the  elbow  touch  of  his  brethren  of  like  precious 
faith  till  April  24th,  1826.  The  next  year  he  was  called 
to  his  reward.  He  left  a  son  and  namesake,  who  was  a 
loyal  and  intelligent  Psalm-singer  and  liberally  sup- 
ported the  church  of  his  fathers. 

Ketchen,  Thomas.— Was  born  in  the  village  of  How- 
gate,  Midlothain  Co..  Scotland,  either  March  3rd  or  8th, 
1786.  At  II.  after  attending  school,  he  served  as  shep- 
herd boy  each  alternate  day  with  Robert  Cranston. 

.\t  about  17,  after  three  years'  preparation  for  college, 
he.  with  his  shepherd  friend,  entered  Edinburg  Univer- 
sitv.  Three  sessions  were  spent  there.     He  then  entered 


i88  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

the  Divinity  Hall  of  his  denomination— the  Associate 
Anti-Burgher — under  Prof.  Paxton,  a  learned  and  elo- 
quent divine. 

After  a  full  course  of  five  or  six  sessions,  licensure 
was  granted  July  19th,  1815,  after  a  rigorous  examina- 
tion. The  next  Sabbath  he  occupied  the  pulpit  of  the  late 
John  Brown  of  Haddington.  His  first  work  was  on 
Strowsa,  one  of  the  Orkney  Isles.  Urged  by  his  Pres- 
bytery to  accept  a  call  made  out  for  him  there  that  year, 
he  declined,  probably  because  of  the  rigor  of  that  high 
latitude. 

After  mission  work  for  some  four  years,  his  Synod, 
May  3d,  1820,  appointed  him  "to  go  to  Nova  Scotia, 
Canada  or  the  States  of  America."  Landing  at  Halifax, 
N.  S.,  an  invitation  was  extended  him  by  the  Scotch 
Church  to  remain  with  them.  This  he  declined,  and 
landing  at  New  York,  passed  into  the  Philadel- 
phia Presbytery  (Associate)  and  was  ordained  by 
this  court  December  7,  1820.  During  that  winter 
we  infer  he  supplied  New  Lebanon,  West  Virginia, 
and  Shiloh,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  as  calls  were  presented 
from  both  these  charges  in  the  spring  of  1821.  The  lat- 
ter was  accepted  and  his  installation  occurred  Dec,  1821. 
The  Synod  had  advanced  him  a  $100.00.  This  Shiloh 
refunded  and  added  $80.00.  "Such  exemplary  liberality 
the  Synod  consider  deserving  of  honorable  mention." 
He  preached  his  first  sermon  at  Knob  Creek,  Cleveland 
Co.,  N.  C,  where  he  was  destined  to  end  his  labors  and 
his  remains  rest  awhile.  His  field,  Shiloh  and  Neely's 
Creek,  was  large,  containing  in  182 1  one  hundred  and 
twenty-four  families  and  two  hundred  and  thirty  mem- 
bers. Ten  years  later  there  were  167  families  and  308 
communicants.  Having  labored  faithfully,  he  was  led, 
A/Tarch  28th,  1832,  to  decline  the  authority  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Synod  because  of  her  recent  act  on  slavery.  After 
negotiations  with  the  First  Presbytery,  he  and  his  Shi- 
loh charge,  Neelv's  Creek  declining,  were  admitted  into 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  189 

the  A.  R.  P.  Church,  April  7,  1834.  Xeely's  Creek  was 
demitted  in  the  summer  of  1833  and  Shiloh,  because  of 
insufficient  support,   May  29,    1839. 

About  1840  he  began  stated  supply  of  Winnsboro, 
Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  and  Perry's  Church,  Lancaster  Co., 
S.  C.  Installed  pastor  of  the  former  March  8th,  1844, 
his  official  connection  ceased  April  20th,  1852.  Remov- 
ing from  thence  to  Cleveland  Co.,  N.  C,  he  preached  at 
Knob  Creek  and  other  points.  Here,  while  preparing  a 
sermon  he  was  smitten  with  a  fatal  malady,  Sept.  26th, 
1855.     His  remains  were  re-interred  at  Shiloh. 

Father  Ketchen  was  twice  married,  first  to  Miss  Mary 
Mcllwaine,  Feb.  23rd,  1823.  Her  death  having  occurred 
Miss  Margaret  Beaty  became  his  second  wife  Aug.  17th, 
1841. 

Though  well  indoctrinated  and  mighty  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, his  forte,  says  Dr.  James  Boyce,  "Was  at  the  head 
of  the  communion  table  where  he  seemed  to  lay  out  his 
whole  power.  It  was  wonderful  to  see  the  power  with 
which  he  expatiated  upon  a  Saviour's  love,  to  witness  the 
fluency  and  animated  declaration  with  which  his  en- 
kindled mind  discharged  itself  upon  the  communicants 
seated  at  the  table  before  him  and  upon  a  delightful  au- 
dience. When  we  saw  that  countenance  kindled  up  with 
expressiveness  and  love  to  Christ,  and  him  crucified, 
together  with  his  promises  portrayed  to  his  people,  we 
were  tempted  to  think  that  whatever  the  Lord's  table  and 
the  sacramental  occasion  may  have  been  to  others  under 
his  administration  they  were  to  him  a  Bethel,  the  house 
of  God  and  the  gate  of  heaven. 

Kerr,  Rei'.  David  lames  Harvey. — W'as  born  March 
21,  1837,  at  the  Waxhaws,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C.  He  was 
the  son  of  Maj.  Jennings  B.  and  Mrs.  Jane  (Walkup) 
Kerr.  He  graduated  from  Frskine  College  in  1858.  He 
studied  theology  in  Erskinc  Theological  Scminarv,  and 
was  licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  in  Aug.,   i860. 


190 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


Synod  sent  him  to  Arkansas  the  same  year.  He  supplied 
Pisgah,  Ark.,  until  May,  1863.  He  was  married  March 
5,  1862,  to  ^liss  Xannie  R.  Oates,  a  daughter  of  J.  F. 
Oates  and  a  niece  of  Rev.  M.  Oates.  He  was  ordained 
by  the  Arkansas  Presbytery  May  9,  1863.  From  that 
date  until  1866,  he  was  in  Drew  Co.,  Ark.,  teaching  school 
and  supplying  vacancies.  In  1866  he  connected  himself 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States.  He 
died  May  9,  1874.  His  wife  died  May  2.  Five  small 
children  were  left  to  the  care  of  his  sisters,  Mrs.  H.  F. 
Sloan,  Airs.  DeWolf  and  ]\Irs.  J.  L.  Brown. 

Kerr,  Gilbert  Lazvson. — Son  of  Prof.  Wm.  A.  and  An- 
nis  Rebecca  (Lawson)  Kerr,  born  in  Iredell  Co.,  N.  C, 
Dec.  28,  1877,  made  a  profession  of  religion  at  New 
Perth,  Aug.,  1891,  was  prepared  for  college  at  Coddle 
Creek,  spent  fotir  years  in  Erskine  College  and  graduated 
June,  1900.  He  is  now  a  student  in  Erskine  Theological 
Seminary,   having  entered   Sept.,    1902. 

Kirkpafrick,  Alien  Gricr. — Rev.  A.  G.  Kirkpatrick  is 
the  son  of  Hugh  Kirkpatrick  and  Louisa  Reid,  and  was 
born  in  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  Sept.  25th,  1850. 

He  was  educated  at  Trinity  College  in  North  Carolina, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  he  was  a  successful  teacher 
and  farmer  in  Mecklenbin-g  County,  N.  C,  and  was  an 
efficient  deacon  in  Ebenezer  Church.  Feeling  that  he 
was  called  to  the  ministry,  he  joined  the  First  Presbytery 
in  1889,  and  took  the  full  course  in  Erskine  Seminary 
and  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery  at  Union 
Church  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  in  1891.  He  was  soon 
called  to  New  Hope,  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  and  was  or- 
dained and  installed  in  August.  1891,  and  remained  pas- 
tor here  for  about  six  years.  In  1896,  he  demitted  New 
Hope,  and  accepted  calls  from  the  Brick  Church  in  Fair- 
field Co.,  S.  C,  and  from  Prosperity  in  Newberry  Co., 
S.  C.     Fie  resigned  the  charge  of  these  churches  in  1899 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


191 


on  account  of  ill  health,  and  soon  after  took  charge  of 
Jones'  Seminary,  a  school  for  yovmg  ladies  in  Gaston 
County,  X.  C,  and  is  at  present  president  of  that  insti- 
tution. 

Through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  and  the  Church 
at  Xew  Hope,  while  he  was  pastor  there  the  old  Brick 
Church  or  Ebenezer,  where  the  Associate  Reformed 
Synod  of  the  South  was  organized  in  1803,  was  reorgan- 
ized, and  stands  to-day  as  a  monument  to  his  zeal  and 
energy. 

Mr.  Kirkpatrick  was  married  in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  Dec. 
loth,  1874,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Evelyn  Gary,  the  daughter 
of  George  and  ]\Iargaret  Gary,  who  has  borne  him  nine 
children.     Mrs.  Kirkpatrick  was  born  in  Texas  in  1854. 


Knox,  John  Patterson. — 
Rev.  J.  P.  Knox  was  born 
near  Davidson  College,  N. 
C,  Oct.  19th,  i860,  and  is 
the  son  of  Samuel  W. 
Knox  and  Sarah  C 
McAuley.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  and 
worked  on  the  farm  until 
he  was  nineteen  years  old, 
and  then  the  Huntersville 
High  School  and  Erskine 
College,  graduating  with 
the  class  of  1887. 

He  joined  the  First 
Presbytery  at  Yorkville,  S.  C.  September,  1887,  and 
spent  two  years  in  study  at  Erskine  Seminary,  and  one 
year  at  .Vllegheny,  I'a..  and  was  licensed  by  the  First 
Presbytery  at  Chester.  S.  C.  April,  1889.  At  a  called 
meeting  of  the  First  Presbytery  at  Charlotte,  X.  C.  he 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry,  and  from 
April,    1890,  until  October,    1891,  he  was  stated   supply 


J.    V.    Kxnx. 


192  SKETCHES     OF     ^IINISTERS. 

for  Broad  Creek,  and  Ebenezer  and  Bethel  in  Virginia. 
In  the  fall  of  1891  he  accepted  calls  from  Hickory  Grove 
and  Smyrna.  York  Co.,  S.  C,  and  was  installed  pastor 
of  these  churches  in  November,  1891,  and  here  he  contin- 
ued until  he  was  sent  to  take  charge  of  the  mission  in 
Columbia,  S.  C,  in  1899.  During  his  pastorate  at  Hick- 
ory Grove  and  Smyrna,  and  largely  through  his  efforts, 
the  A.  R.  P.  Orphanage  was  established,  and  he  has  been 
the  Chairman  of  its  Board  of  Trustees  ever  since. 

During  his  service  in  Columbia,  he  has  canvassed  the 
Synod  for  funds,  and  has  built  a  new  house  of  worship 
which  is  called  the  Centennial  Chvirch,  as  a  memorial  of 
the  Centennial  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Synod  of  the  South. 

Mr.  Knox  was  married  in  Due  West,  S.  C,  Nov. 
20th,  1890,  to  Miss  Louisa  Julia  Brice,  the  youngest 
daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  R.  W.  Brice  and  Anna  M. 
Steele,  and  she  still  lives  to  bless  the  home  of  her  hus- 
band. Mrs.  Knox  was  born  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  April 
2nd,  1868.  Her  grandfather  Steele  was  a  minister,  three 
of  his  sons  were  ministers,  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Knox's 
mother,  married  a  minister,  and  three  of  her  daughters 
married  ministers. 

La  than,  Robert. — Was  born  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  of 
Scotch-Irish  parentage,  Dec  2^,  1829,  and  died  June  15, 
1896,  at  Bradley,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C. 

His  father  was  a  farmer,  a  man  of  good  education, 
who  early  inspired  in  his  son  the  ambition  to  become  a 
scholar.  School  facilities  were  poor,  but  in  his  father's 
home  was  a  large  collection  of  useful  and  instructive 
books,  and  the  boy  applying  himself  to  these  soon  laid 
the  foundation  for  a  thorough  education.  At  the  age  of 
19  (nineteen)  he  entered  a  school  taught  by  Rev.  James 
Gilland,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  and  was  here  prepared 
for  college.  In  1853  he  entered  the  Sophomore  Class 
at  Erskine  College,  and  two  years  later  was  graduated 
with  high  honors. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  193 

After  leaving  college,  he  commenced  to  study  for  the 
ministry  under  Rev.  R.  W.  Brice,  pastor  of  Hopewell 
A.  R.  P.  Church  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  and  after  pur- 
suing his  studies  here  for  two  years,  entered  the  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  at  Due  West,  and  completed  the  course. 
In  1858  he  was  licensed  to  preach  and  sent  to  Virginia, 
where  he  remained  until  the  fall  meeting  of  Synod. 

In  1859  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  York- 
ville  and  Tirzah,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  in 
May  of  the  same  year.  In  1884  he  was  elected  to  a  pro- 
fessorship in  the  Theological  Seminary,  holding  this 
office  until  the  fall  of  1894,  when  he  resigned  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  the  churches  at  Bradley  and  Cedar  Springs 
in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C. 

On  the  tenth  of  May,  1859,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Fannie  E.  Barron,  daughter  of  Dr.  A.  T.  Barron 
of  Yorkville.  To  them  were  born  seven  children,  live  of 
whom  are  now  living. 

In  connection  with  his  pastoral  labors.  Dr.  Lathan  also 
engaged  in  teaching  in  and  near  Yorkville,  for  twenty 
years.  His  schools  were  what  are  known  as  tl.e  ''old 
field"  school,  but  in  them  he  did  some  splendid  work. 
His  pupils  were  often  from  a  distance  of  20  or  30  miles 
and  there  are  many  substantial  well-educated  citizens 
in  York  County  to-day  who  never  had  any  other 
teacher. 

Shortly  after  the  War,  Dr.  Lathan  was  elected  School 
Commissioner  of  York  County,  held  the  office  for  a  short 
term,  and  was  re-elected  in  1874. 

The  public  school  system  was,  at  that  time,  worse  than 
chaotic.  The  school  laws  vague  and  clumsy  in  their 
meaning,  but  with  undaunted  energy  and  fine  force  of 
will,  he  set  to  work  with  the  meager  material  at  hand  and 
organized  a  system  of  public  schools  which  for  efficiency 
was  without  a  superior  in  the  State. 

In  addition  to  his  other  duties,  Dr.  Lathan  also  found 
some  time  to  devote  to  literature.  He  was  for  years  a 
13 


194 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


valued  contributor  to  the  "Yorkville  Enquirer:'  In  his 
sketches  of  the  "Early  Settlement  of  South  Carolina,''  is 
to  be  found,  to  this  day,  the  best  history  of  the  State  up 
to  and  including  the  War  of  the  Revolution  that  has 
yet  been  written. 

He  also  wrote  a  history  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Synod  of  the  South.  In  recognition  of  this  work  he  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  D.  D.  from  Westm-irtster  College, 
New  Wilmington,  Pa.,  in  June,   1881. 

Dr.  Lathan  is  an  exceptional  illustration  of  a  minister 
who  did  his  best  work  after  his  fiftieth  year.  His  work 
as  stated  supply  at  Bethlehem  and  Due  West,  and  in  the 
regular  pastorate  at  Bradley  was  fruitful  of  much  good. 
Christians  were  instructed  and  comforted,  and  simfers 
were  awakened. 

Lcc,  TJwmas  Stephen. — Was  the  son  of  Joseph  Fran- 
cis and  Mary  Jenkins  Lee,  and  was  born  Oct.  15,  1827, 
on  Wadmalaw  Island,  S.  C,  and  was  of  English  ances- 
try. His  grandfather.  Col.  Wm.  Lee,  of  Charleston,  S. 
C,  and  great  grandfather,  John  Jenkins,  were  captains 
of  military  companies  of  the  Continental  Army,  in  the 
Revolutionary  War.  His  father  removed  to  x\bbeville 
District,  S.  C,  in  Jan.,  1837.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he 
was  sent  to  Clark  and  Erskine  Seminary,  then  under  the 
care  of  Mr.  (afterwards  Rev.)  John  S.  Pressly,  Due 
West,  S.  C,  and  graduated  in  the  third  class,  that  of 
1844,  in  Erskine  College,  the  institution  having  been 
changed  into  the  College  in  1839. 

He  was  raised  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
but  joined  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  while  in  college.  He 
entered  the  Theological  Seminary  soon  after  his  gradua- 
tion, and  was  licensed  by  the  Second  A.  R.  Presbytery 
at  Generostee,  S.  C,  April  3rd,  1847.  ^^^  i'^47  ^^^  wa^ 
sent  to  the  Kentucky  Presbytery.  At  first,  his  time  was 
divided  between  New  Hope  and  Hinkston.  A  call  was 
prepared   for  him  by  Hinkston,   May  8th,   1840,  and  in 


SKETCHES     OF     ^IINISTERS. 


195 


April  26,  1850,  he  was  received  by  certificate  from 
Second  Presbytery  and  ordained  June,  1850,  at  New 
Hope.  He  was,  however,  not  installed  until  1852  as 
pastor  of  Hinkston  Church.  This  proved  a  fortunate 
pastorate  and  continued  until  Oct.  13th,  1870,  when  he 
connected  himself  with  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  that  Church  connection  he  became  pastor  of 
a  church  at  Troy.  Ky.,  where  he  died  Jan.  6,  1876. 

]\Ir.  Lee  was  married  Sept.  19th,  1848,  at  Sidney,  O., 
to  ]\Iiss  Susan  J.  Montfort.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Rev. 
Peter  and  Anna  Maria  Montfort.  The  fruits  of  this 
union  were  nine  children.  Airs.  Lee  removed  South  and 
is  now  living  at  Orlando,  Fla. 

Mr.  Lee  was  clerk  of  the  Kentucky  Presbytery  from 
1852  to  1870.  He  was  an  able  minister  and  an  active 
and  influential  mem1)er  of  Presbvterv. 


Lindsay,  Ebcnrjcr  Prcss- 
ly. — Son  of  John  Lindsay 
and  Alary  Francis  Sloan, 
was  born  in  Lincoln  Co., 
Tenn,  near  Fayetteville, 
October  16,  1877.  He  first 
attended  the  country 
schools  of  the  community, 
and  later  for  three  or  four 
years  the  Fayetteville  Col- 
legiate Institute.  He  en- 
tered the  Sophomore  Class 
of  Erskine  College  and 
graduated  from  that  in- 
stitution in  June,  1899. 
He  joined  New  Hope  Associate  Reformed  Presbyter- 
ian Church,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,  Sept.  9,  1889,  under 
the  preaching  of  the  Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan.  He  was  received 
as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  Tennessee  and  Alabama 
Presbytery  at  Belfast,  Tenn.,  September  29,  1900.     He 


196  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

took  his  theological  course  in  Erskine  Theological  Sem- 
inary at  Due  West,  S.  C,  and  was  licensed  to  preach 
April  13,  1901,  by  the  Second  Presbytery,  at  Iva,  S.  C, 
by  request  of  the  Tennessee  and  Alabama  Presbytery, 
the  Rev.  E.  P.  McClintock,  D.  D.,  officiating.  He  was 
ordained  September  28th,  1901,  by  the  Tennessee  and 
Alabama  Presbytery  at  Orrville,  Ala.,  the  Revs.  I.  N. 
Kennedy  and  H.  M.  Henry,  D.  D.,  being-  the  officiating- 
ministers.  He  labored  for  awhile  each  at  Russellville, 
Ark.,  and  Birmingham,  Ala.  The  year  1902  and  up 
to  the  present  time,  1903,  he  has  served  the  Rives  and 
Polk,  Tenn.,  congregations.  Mr.  Lindsay  is  a  grandson 
of  Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan,  and  a  twin  brother  of  the  Rev.  A. 
T.  Lindsay,  of  Pisgah,  N.  C. 

Lindsay,  JVilliaui  Barkley. 
— Was  born  at  Chester,  S. 
C,  Nov.  21,  1871.  His- 
father,  William  Lindsay, 
and  his  mother  Nancy 
Stewart,  were  from  Ire- 
land, and  most  excellent 
representatives  of  the  god- 
ly Protestant  Irish.  He 
spent  eight  years  in  the 
Chester  graded  school,  and 
was  graduated  from  Er- 
skine College,  June  20,. 
1893.        He      joined      the 

W.     B.     LINDSAY.  ^^^^^.^j^    ^^    ChcStCr    iu     1885. 

He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology,  Oct.  1895,  by 
the  First  Presbytery.  He  attended  Erskine  Theological 
Seminary,  and  was  licensed  at  a  called  meeting  of  the 
Presbytery,  at  Chester,  Aug.  3,  1896.  He  was  ordained 
by  the  Second  Presbytery,  at  Wei  ford  ,  S.  C,  Oct.,  1897, 
and  was  installed  pastor  over  the  Woodruff  and  Welford 
churches.     He  did  a  niost  excellent  work  here,  remaining 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


197 


five  years  and  a  half.  At  the  meeting  of  Synod,  at  Pisgah, 
N.  C,  Nov.,  1902,  the  Synod  adopted  a  recommendation 
of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  that  he  be  sent  to  the 
Mission  in  Memphis,  Tenn.  He  accepted  this  appoint- 
ment, and  at  the  time  of  this  writing  is  in  charge  of  that 
mission. 

Mr.  Lindsay  excels  in  pastoral  work,  is  most  genial  and 
sweet-tempered  in  his  intercourse  with  men,  and  his 
preaching  is  marked  by  tenderness  and  unction. 


Lindsay,  Archie  Thomp- 
son.— Son  of  John  and 
IVIary  Lindsay,  born  Oct. 
r6th.  1877,  "6^^  Fayette- 
ville,  Lincoln  Co..  Tenn. 
Prepared  for  college  at  the 
Fayetteville  Collegiate  In- 
stitute, he  entered  the 
Sophomore  Class  at  Er- 
skine  College,  Oct.,  95, 
and  graduated  June,  98. 
Having  spent  one  year,  be- 
ginning Oct.,  '99,  in  Er- 
skine  Theological  Semi- 
nary and  some  time  at 
Princeton  and  Allegheny,  he  was  licensed  by  Tennessee 
and  Alabama  Presbytery,  Sept  28,  1900.  The  First  Pres- 
bytery ordained  and  installed  him  pastor  of  Pisgah  and 
Bessemer,  Sept.  27,  1901,  where  he  remains  and  the  Lord 
is  blessing  his  work. 

On  Nov.  20th,  1901,  he  was  happily  married  to  Miss 
O.  L.  Whitelaw,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  White- 
law,  of  Raleigh.   X.  C. 


A.    T.    LINDSAY. 


Little,  Rev.  Jo'Uics  McKinney. — \\'as  born  in  Jefferson 
Co..  Ga.,  Sept.  20.  1828.  His  father.  l'""orester  Little,  was 
of  Irish  stock,  being  born  the  year  after  his  parents  landed 


198  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

in  America.  He  moved  to  Stewart  Co.,  Ga.,  when  James 
was  eight  years  old.  There  he  made  a  rehgious  profes- 
sion, and  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  was  ordained  an  elder. 

In  "49  he  married  Aliss  Martha  A.  Pendrey.  In  i860 
he  moved  to  Andalusia,  Covington  Co.,  Ala.,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  law.  He  served  his  county 
two  years  as  Superintendant  of  Public  Instruction,  and 
his  district  as  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  nine  years.  He 
was  licensed  to  preach  in  1873,  by  the  Alabama  Presby- 
tery, having  prosecuted  his  studies  privately.  He  was 
ordained  in  the  spring  of  '75.  He  preached  in  Covington 
Co.,  Ala.,  until  1876.  About  the  beginning  of  that  year 
he  moved  to  Milan  Co.,  Texas.  There  he  spent  about 
20  years  in  a  life  of  self-denial  and  hardship,  preaching 
the  Gospel.  His  wife  died  Jan.  5,  1892,  leaving  four 
living  children.  Some  months  later  he  married  Miss 
Susan  Mitchell,  daughter  of  Albert  Mitchell  of  Hardin 
Co.,  Texas.  After  an  illness  of  many  months  he  died  of 
consumption,  Sept.  11,  1896. 

Lozi'ry,  James. — Born  in  the  historic  Hopewell,  S.  C, 
1780;  entered  S.  C.  University  Jan.  10,  1805,  and  gradu- 
ated in  a  class  of  31  in  1808. 

His  divinity  course  was  pursued  under  Dr.  J.  M. 
Mason  in  New  York,  and-  license  was  granted  him  by 
the  Second  Presbytery,  March  10,  18 18.  Owing  to  in- 
firmities and  unsatisfactory  condition  of  temporal  matters 
he  surrendered  his  license,  which  after  admonition  was 
returned  Dec.  15th,  1824.  The  next  day  a  certificate  of 
transfer  was  given  to  the  First  Presbytery  by  which 
court  he  was  ordained  May  i8th,  1826.  Called  to  the 
Moderatorship  of  the  Synod  in  1827  and  1834.  he  resided 
in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  and  preached  occasionally  when 
opportunity  offered  and  health  permitted. 

In  1836  his  Presbytery  called  him  to  account  for 
preaching  that  "Christ  died  a  spiritual  death."  The 
Synod  l)eing  a])])ealc(l  to,  allowed  ^\r.  Lo\vr\-  lo  withdraw 


SKETCHES    OF     ^IIXISTERS. 


199 


his  case  and  himself  from  the  jurisdiction  of  the  A.  R. 
Church  Oct.  loth,  1837. 

"At  his  residence  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  May  25th, 
1853,  died  Rev.  James  Lowry  in  the  74th  year  of  his  age. 
He  bore  his  long  illness  without  a  murmur,  and  left  this 
world  with  a  firm  faith  and  high  hopes  of  a  blessed  im- 
mortality bevond  the  grave." 


Locvry,  James  Robert 
Alexander. — Son  of  Rev. 
Joseph  Lowry  and  Mary 
Pressly,  was  born  October 
4,  1838,  in  Jefferson  Co., 
Ga.  As  a  boy  he  was  a 
great  lover  of  fun,  full  of 
mischief  and,  therefore, 
played  many  pranks  on  his 
mother,  sisters  and  school- 
mates, but  was  always  a 
great  favorite  with  his  as- 
sociates. \Mien  his  mother 
would  become  fretted  by 
-'•  •''•  '-'»\^'<'^-  his   mischief   and    want   to 

whip  him,  his  father  would  say.  "Well,  !Mary,  he  is  a 
good  deal  of  trouble  now,  but  he  may  be  a  great  comfort 
to  you  some  day."  He  went  to  school  to  his  brother,  Prof. 
A\'.  S.  Lowry,  in  Louisville,  Ga.,  until  entering  college  in 
Due  West,  where  he  remained  four  years.,  graduating 
from  that  institution  August  ir,  1858.  He  joined  old 
Bethel  church,  Burke  Co.,  Ga.,  in  1853. 

He  commenced  the  study  of  theology  Dec.  6,  1858, 
under  the  care  of  the  Georgia  Presbytery.  He  prose- 
cuted his  studies  in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary  and 
was  licensed  by  that  Presbytery  }^larch  25,  i860,  in 
Dekalb  Co..  Ga.  He  was  ordained  in  INIarch,  1862,  at 
White  Oak  Church.  Coweta  Co.,  Ga.  In  November, 
i860,  he  went  to  Kentucky  and  preached  until   !March, 


200  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

i86i,  and  then  returned  to  South  Carolma.  In  July, 
1862,  he  went  as  a  missionary  to  Lee's  Army,  took  sick 
in  August,  and  returned  to  South  CaroHna.  In  Novem- 
ber went  as  Chaplain  to  5th  Regiment  South  Carolina 
Reserves,  Charleston,  remaining  there  till  next  spring. 
In  1863  he  went  to  Georgia,  preached  and  taught  school 
there  till  May  31,  1864,  when  he  received  the  Chaplaincy 
of  the  48th  Georgia  Regiment.  Here  remained  until  the 
the  close  of  the  War.  In  January,  1866,  he  left  Georgia 
for  Tennessee,  and  preached  in  Nashville  till  he  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  Prosperity  Church,  Dallas,  Co., 
Ala.,  in  September,  1867.  He  was  installed  here  Sept. 
23,  1867,  Dr.  J.  I.  Bonner  and  Rev.  W.  R.  Hemphill 
officiating. 

He  married  the  first  time  August  3,  i860,  Mary  Jane 
McCaslin,  a  daughter  of  Moses  Oliver  and  Susannah 
Clark  McCaslin.  She  was  born  June  10,  1838,  in  Ab- 
beville, S.  C.  One  daughter,  Mary  Agnew,  was  born 
to  them,  who  married  Rev.  E.  P.  Davis,  D.  D.,  now  of 
Opelika,  Ala.  Mrs.  Lowry  died  July  4,  1863.  He  was 
married  the  second  time  to  INIiss  Euphemia  Hawthorn 
in  the  summer  of  1867.  She  died  the  following  ( ?) 
year  on  the  2nd  of  May.  One  child  born  to  them  died 
in  infancy.  He  was  married  the  third  time  to  Miss 
Kittie  C.  Craig, daughter  of  Robert  G.  and  Mary  E.  Craig, 
May  10,  1870.  She  was  born  near  Harrells,  Ala.  Four 
children  were  born  of  this  union,  only  one  of  whom  is 
still  living,  Julia  Mabel,  who  married  the  Rev.  J.  H. 
Pressly  of  Statesville,  N.  C.  Mrs.  Kittie  Lowry  died 
March  17,  1878. 

He  was  married  the  fourth  time  January  5,  1881,  to 
Mrs.  Jennie  E.  Pressly  at  Oak  Hall,  Ala.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Dr.  William  and  Mary  Mathews  Dale.  She 
left  one  little  girl  who  died  at  3  months  old.  Mrs.  Jen- 
nie Lowry  died  ]\Tay  13,  1883,  at  Crenshaw,  Dallas  Co., 
Alabama. 

Mr.  Lowry  died  April  6,  1898,  after  a  pastorate  of 
31  vears  of  ])ros])crity,  Dallas  Co.,  Ala. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  201 

Loicry,  JJ'illioin  Joseph,  D.  D. — ^^'as  born  June  7th, 
1838,  in  Greensboro,  Georgia.  But  his  parents  were  at 
that  time  residents  of  Jefferson  County,  Ga.  His  parents 
were  Prof.  A\'.  S.  Lowry  and  Ehza  (Stevens)  Lowry. 
He  enjoyed  good  educational  advantages,  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  Erskine  College  in  1838.  He  probably  joined 
the  church  at  Bethel,  Ga.,  in  his  youth.  He  was  received 
as  a  student  of  Theology  by  the  Second  Presbytery  in 
1859,  and  studied  theology  at  Due  West. 

His  first  work  was  done  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 
His  first  pastorate  was  Lebanon,  Ala.  He  also  preached 
at  Camden  and  other  points  in  Alabama.  About  1865  he 
was  called  to  the  G.  A.  Presbyterian  Church  in  Selma, 
Ala.  He  accepted  this  call  and  served  that  church  for 
a  number  of  years  wath  great  acceptance.  In  1875  he 
was  called  to  the  FirstPresbyterian  Church  in  Louisville, 
Ky.,  and  continued  until  his  death  one  of  the  most  use- 
ful and  eloquent  ministers  in  that  city.  He  died  Nov. 
lOth,  1877.  He  married  T^Iiss  Maggie  M.  Bell,  August 
13th,  1861.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Robert  Bell  of 
Starkville,  IMiss.,  where  they  were  married.  They  had 
three  children.     She  died  in  Selma,  Ala. 

January  23rd,  1874,  he  married  Miss  Mary  C.  Dixon. 
Dr.  Lowry  was  a  lovable  man  and  made  for  himself  an 
enviable  reputation.  His  appearance  in  the  pulpit  was 
most  striking  and  impressive,  and  he  was  gifted  with 
rare  eloquence  and  power.  He  was  marvelously  per- 
suasive as  a  speaker  and  eminently  successful  in  winning 
men  to  Christ. 

Lowry,  Joscph.~\\'as  born  in  York  Co.,  S.  C,  Jan. 
1st,  1777.  He  must  have  enjoyed  good  educational  ad- 
vantages.    He  graduated  at in  perhaps  1808  or 

1809.  He  studied  Theology  in  Xew  York  and  completed 
his  course  in  1813.  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery. 
He  received  calls  from  the  Newberry  churches,  from  Ce- 
dar Springs,  and  Long  Cane,  and  from  Bethel,  Georgia. 


202  SKETCHES     OF     ^IINISTERS. 

He  accepted  the  latter.  It  was  dated  April  I4tli,  1814. 
On  the  2nd  Thursday  in  October,  18 14,  he  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  of  this  congregation.  He  was  pastor 
of  this  church  from  that  date  until  his  death,  July  20th, 
1840.  On  Feb.  21st,  1813,  he  was  married  by  Rev.  Alex- 
ander Porter  to  Aliss  Mary  Pressly.  She  was  born  July 
loth.  1797.  They  had  three  sons  and  nine  daughters. 
Mrs.  Lowry  died  Nov.  17th,  1875. 

One  of  their  sons  became  a  minister,  another  was  a 
professor  in  Erskine  College.  Six  grandsons  are 
preachers,  five  in  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  and  one  in  the 
Baptist  Church.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  so  little  is 
known  of  his  history.  When  licensed  to  preach  he  was 
a  member  of  Hopewell,  Chester,  S.  C. 

Love,  JJllIiajii  Voiiiig. — 
Rev.  William  Young  Love 
is  the  son  of  Andrew 
Franklin  Love  and  Martha 
Gilfillan,  and  was  born  in 
York  County,  S.  C,  March 
i6th,  1849,  aiicl  connected 
with  the  church  at  Sharon, 
in  1866. 

Mr.  Love  graduated 
from  Erskine  College  in 
1874,  and  was  received  as 
a  student  of  theology  by 
the  First  Presbytery  at 
w.   Y.  LOVE.  LTnion      Church,      Chester 

Co.,  S.  C,  in  1874.  His  theological  course  was  taken  in 
Erskine  Seminary,  and  at  the  U.  P.  Seminary  at  Alle- 
gheny, Pa.,  and  he  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery 
at  Statesville,  N.  C,  in  April.  1876,  and  was  ordained  by 
the  Second  Presbytery  at  White  Oak,  da.,  in  1879. 

After  doing  mission  work  in  the  bounds  of  the  First 
and  Second  Presbyteries,  he  went  to  the  Memphis  Pres- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  203 

bvtcrv  and  was  installed  as  pastor  of  Bloomin^ton 
Church  in  Tennessee  in  1880.  After  remaining  there  for 
several  years  he  returned  to  the  First  Presbytery  and  was 
for  a  while  co-laborer  with  Dr.  E.  E.  Boyce  at  Pisgah, 
Bethany,  and  Kings  Mountain. 

In  1885  he  accepted  a  call  from  Gilead,  in  Mecklenburg 
Co.,  N.  C,  and  was  installed  in  October  of  the  same  year. 
In  April,  1892,  he  was  installed  as  pastor  of  Perth  and 
Coddle  Creek,  and  during  his  pastorate  there  he  was 
largely  instrumental  in  reorganizing  the  church  at 
Mooresville,  X.  C,  and  in  Iniilding  a  house  of  worship 
for  that  congregation. 

After  leaving  these  churches,  he  was  installed  pastor 
over  Amity,  Elk  Shoals  and  Taylorsville,  in  1901,  and 
still  continues  pastor  there.  In  September,  1876,  Mr. 
Love  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  C.  White,  the  daughter 
of  Col.  James  P.  and  .Vmanda  White  of  Iredell  Co.,  X. 
C.  ^Nlrs.  White  was  born  in  Alexander  Co.,  X.  C,  Jan. 
1 2th.  1853.,  She  has  been  a  true  helpmeet  to  her  hus- 
band and  has  borne  him  nine  children. 

Lylc.  James. — Was  born  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania  about 
17*^5  '•  ^vas  educated  at  Dickinson  College  and  studied 
theology  at  Service  and  Canonesburg,  Pa. ;  was  licensed 
by  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  Aug.  20th,  1823, 
and  sent  December  following  as  a  missionary  to  the 
South.  I^ie  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  ordained  and 
installed  him  ]\Iay  4th,  1825,  pastor  of  Bethel  (Winns- 
boro).  Little  River  (Stively  Meeting  House),  Fairfield 
Co.,  and  Smyrna.  Chester  Co.,  S.  S. 

On  the  1 8th  of  September.  1834,  he  demitted  this 
charge  and  was  granted  certificate  to  Miami  Presbytery 
to  take  pastoral  charge  of  the  lately  organized  congre- 
gation of  Bloomington.  Indiana.  This  for  some  reason 
he  did  not  acce])i.  In  his  latter  days  "his  life  was  out 
of  tune." 

He  deserted  the  niinistr\-  and  was  suspended  in    1837. 


204  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

Soon  after  this  he  removed  to  Texas  and  was  there  ac- 
cidently  killed  by  the  discharge  of  a  gun  in  1840. 

Magill^  Rev.  James. — Dr.  J.  B.  Scoullers  says,  "Most 
probably  born  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  graduated  at 
Dickinson  College,  1794,  studied  theology  privately,  and 
was  licensed  by  the  First  A.  R.  Presb}-tery  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, May  25th,  1797."  He  was  received  as  probationer 
by  the  Second  Presbytery,  at  her  first  meeting  at  Cedar 
Springs,  April  8th,  1801,  and  ordained  and  installed  pas- 
tor of  Little  River  and  Rocky  Springs,  Abbeville  Co., 
S.  C,  May  14,  1802.  These  he  demitted  July  23,  1805. 
He  attended  as  delegate  of  the  Second  Presbytery  the 
First  General  Synod,  at  Greencastle,  Pa.,  May  30,  1804. 
The  General  Synod  met  again  in  New  York  City,  May 
28,  1806. 

He  was  also  a  delegate  representing  both  Presbyteries, 
and  the  Synod  laid  a  tax  on  each  pastoral  charge  of  $8.00 
or  each  member  ^  of  a  $1.00  to  pay  his  expenses.  After 
his  return  from  General  Synod  he  divided  his  time  be- 
tween the  two  Presbyteries.  About  1807  he  went  to 
Ohio  and  lived  a  recluse,  and  died  about  1830,  unknown 
to  the  world  about  him.  His  domestic  life  was  not 
happy.  He  separated  from  his  wife,  but  the  Synod  at 
its  meeting  at  Hopewell,  S.  C,  April  nth,  1805,  decided 
that  he  ought  not  to  be  subjected  to  judicial  censure, 
and  he  was  given  appointments  to  preach  in  the 
Presbyteries. 

Marion,  John  Preston. — Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  is  the  son 
of  Alexander  Marion  and  Mary  Jane  Sterling  and  was 
born  near  Rossville,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  Dec.  23rd,  1847. 
He  attended  schools  taught  by  Revs.  Hugh  and  Christo- 
pher Strong  at  Mayesville,  S.  C.  and  at  other  places,  and 
graduated  at  the  ITniversity  of  Virginia.  He  attended 
Frskine  Seminary  and  also  studied  under  Dr.  McGuffy 
at  the  University  of  Virginia,  and  was  licensed  about 
1870. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  205 

He  labored  in  Arkansas  for  five  or  six  years,  organiz- 
ing several  churches  in  that  Presbytery.  In  1876  Mr. 
■Marion  was  called  to  Chester,  S.  C,  for  three-fourths 
of  his  time,  and  the  other  fourth  was  given  to  White 
Oak,  S.  C,  until  1879,  when  he  was  called  to  Chester 
for  all  of  his  time.  He  continued  pastor  at  Chester  until 
the  spring  of  1882,  when  he  resigned  his  charge  and  en- 
tered the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church.  Since  that 
time  he  has  been  pastor  of  various  churches  in  that 
denomination,  where  he  has  been  a  successful  preacher 
and  pastor. 

Martin,  John  Edward. — Was  born  March  19th,  1843,. 
in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C.  His  father  was  John  Aiken  Mar- 
tin. His  mother,  Miss  Pernecy  Frances  Gary.  He  grad- 
uated at  Erskine  College  in  1861.  In  youth  he  made  a 
profession  of  faith  and  became  a  member  of  the  old  Brick 
Church,  Fairfield  Co.,  S.,C. 

He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  in  the  fall 
of  1867  by  the  Second  Presbytery  at  Bethel  Church,  in 
Laurens  Co.,  S.  C.  He  studied  theology  at  Due  West, 
S.  C.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  in  1869 
at  Prosperity,  S.  C.  He  was  ordained  by  Second  Presby- 
tery at  Due  West,  in  1871..  He  was  a  domestic  mission- 
ary for  two  years,  laboring  in  Xewberry,  S.  C,  Middle 
Tennessee,  northern  Mississippi,  and  Georgia.  He  was 
called  and  installed  as  pastor  of  Hopewell,  Ga.,  in  the 
fall  of  1871.  He  married  Miss  Margaret  Isabella  Grier 
at  Due  West  Oct.  27th,  1864.  His  wife's  father  was 
Dr.  R.  C.  Grier.  Her  mother's  maiden  name  was  Miss 
Barbara  Moffatt.  She  was  born  in  York,  S.  C,  April 
5th,  1847.  They  have  had  eight  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  still  living.  Rev.  Martin  is  a  devout  Christian. 
For  many  years  he  was  an  earnest  and  faithful  minister 
of  the  New  Testament.  His  health  was  never  very  good. 
In  1890  he  became  so  feeble  that  he  felt  constrained  to 
resign  his  pastoral  charge.     He  did  so  in  August  of  that 


2o6  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

year,  and  has  been  an  invalid  ever  since.  He  lives  on 
a  farm  near  Covington,  which  he  owns  and  has  managed 
successfully  for  many  years. 

Mayiic,  Alexander. — Son  of  Rev.  Hugh  Mayne  and 
Sarah  Shannon,  was  born  in  Fleming  Co.,  Ky.,  Jan.  24, 
1830.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  a  gradu- 
ate of  Glasgow  University.  From  him  the  son  received 
his  early  education.  He  graduated  from  Hanover  Col- 
lege, August  6,  1 85 1. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  connected  himself  with  the 
Church  at  Richland  in  Rush  Co.,  Ind.,  on  profession  of 
faith.  He  studied  theology  at  Oxford,  O.,  under  Dr. 
Claybaugh  in  the  winter  of  1853-4,  and  at  Due  West, 
S.  C,  January  '59  to  April  '60.  The  Second  Presbytery 
received  him  as  a  student  of  theology  early  in  1859  and 
licensed  him  April  7,  i860.  Very  soon  after  this  he  be- 
gan to  preach  in  southern  Arkansas.  Synod  of  i860 
authorized  the  formation  of  the  Presbytery  of  Arkansas. 
It  held  its  first  meeting  the  following  May  at  Pisgah  in 
Pope  Co.,  Ark.  ]Mr.  Mayne  was  ordained  sine  tifiilo  at 
this  meeting  May  4,  1861.  He  married  ]\'Iiss  Amanda  C. 
Kerr  Nov.  22,  i860,  in  Drew  Co.,  Ark.  She  was  born 
in  York  Co.,  S.  C.  He  continued  his  labors  in  southern 
Arkansas,  preaching  as  opportunity  offered,  principally 
in  Bradley  and  Drew  Counties  until  June,  1865.  He  then 
moved  to  Indiana  where  he  connected  himself  with  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.  He  labored  as  stated  sup- 
ply in  Indiana,  Michigan,  Kansas  and  Iowa  until  the  fall 
of  1879.  On  account  of  his  wife's  health,  he  moved  to 
Bethel  Springs,  Tenn.,  where  she  died  July  18,  1880. 
In  1881  he  moved  to  Indiana,  and  on  ( )ct.  22,  of  that 
}'ear  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  John 
W.  and  Martha  Brown.  He  continued  to  preach  regularly 
until  1900,  when  he  became  disabled  from  bronchitis. 
Of  his  children,  only  one  out  of  seven  survives — a  daugh- 
ter of  his  first  wife. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


207 


H.    K.     M^AULAV. 


McAulay,  Hugh  Rod- 
eric. — The  ]\IcAulay  fam- 
ily, from  whom  Rev.  H.  R. 
descended,  came  from  the 
highlands  of  Scotland  prior 
to  the  Revolutionary  war. 
They  settled  in  Mecklen- 
burg Co.,  X.  C,  on  ^NIcAl- 
pin's  Creek,  near  where 
Sardis  church  now  stands. 
The  great  grandfather  of 
the  above  mentioned  minis 
ter  attained  the  wonderful 
age  of  102  years.  The 
mother  of  Rev.  H.  R.  was 
descended  from  the  Grier  family,  being  the  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Mary  Heard  Grier.  The  Griers  came  from 
the  North  of  Ireland,  and  settled  in  Wilkes  Co.,  Ga. 
Here  the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born. 
Her  name  was  Melvina  Heard  Grier. 

Her  parents  shortly  after  her  birth  moved  to  Alabama, 
near  Cahaba,  and  there  they  both  died  and  are  buried. 
The  children  were  brought  to  North  Carolina  by  Dr. 
Isaac  Grier,  an  uncle,  then  ])astor  of  Sardis  Church. 
In  the  course  of  time  Neil  McAulay,  the  father  of  Hugh 
Rocleric,  married  Melvina  Heard  Grier,  and  they  moved 
to  Iredell  Co.,  N.  C,  and  located  near  Coddle  Creek 
Church.  Hugh  R.  was  born  June  3rd,  1849.  The  op- 
portunities for  an  education  were  very  limited  during 
his  youth,  as  the  country  was  disturbed  by  the  Civil 
War.  P>ut  b}'  close  economy  his  father  managed  to  give 
him  an  education,  sending  him  first  to  Profs.  W.  A.  Kerr 
and  R.  A.  Leaser  at  Coddle  Creek,  and  then  to  Erskine 
College,  which  he  entered  in  1871,  graduating  in  1875. 
Having  joined  the  Church  at  Coddle  Creek  under  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  J.  E.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  when  a  youth, 
his   mind    was   turned    towards   the   ministrv.      He   con- 


2o8  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

nected  with  the  First  Presbytery  at  Huntersville,  N.  C, 
in  the  fall  of  1875,  entered  the  theological  seminary  at 
Due  West  and  completed  his  course  under  Dr.  James 
Boyce  in  1877.  He  was  licensed  in  the  city  of  Charlotte 
by  First  Presbytery,  Sept.  4th,  1877,  and  sent  to  Texas, 
here  he  remainetl  as  a  home  missionary  one  year.  He 
spent  also  one  year  in  Virginia.  He  then  attended  one 
session  at  Allegheny,  Pa.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Vir- 
ginia Presbytery  in  1880  at  Old  Providence.  In  1882  he 
was  sent  as  supply  to  Woodruff  and  Cannon  Creek, 
and  received  a  call  from  both  these  churches.  He  ac- 
cepted the  call  from  Woodruff,  and  was  installed  in  1884. 
In  1888  he  demitted  his  charge,  and  labored  in  vacan- 
cies in  Kentucky,  North  and  South  Carolina.  In  the  fall 
of  1890  he  was  sent  to  Hopewell,  Ga.,  and  remained 
there  for  two  years  teaching  and  preaching.  After  his 
work  in  Georgia  he  supplied  Prosperity  and  Head  Springs 
in  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C,  for  some  time.  Since  that  time 
he  has  had  no  stated  appointments,  living  at  his  home  in 
Woodruff  he  has  preached  as  opportunity  offered  in 
some  of  the  vacancies. 

Mr.  McAulay  was  married  at  Union,  S.  C,  to  Miss 
Thompson  Carlisle,  Nov.  26th,  1884.  They  have  one 
daughter. 

McCain,  JoJm  Nishet. — Was  born  in  Mecklenburg  Co., 
N.  C,  June  19th,  1820.  His  father's  name  was  Hugh 
Johnson  McCain  and  his  mother's  maiden  name  Martha 
Moore.  He  had  fairly  good  educational  opportunities, 
and  was  graduated  from  Erskine  College  in  1846. 

He  joined  the  Church  in  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.  Rev.  John 
Wilson  was  his  pastor.  He  entered  the  Seminary  at 
Due  West  in  1846,  and  was  received  as  a  student  by  the 
Second  Presbytery  at  Generostee,  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C. 
He  was  licensed  by  the  same  Presbytery  at  the  same 
place  in  1848,  and  was  ordained  by  the  Georgia  Presby- 
tery at  Ebenezer,  Jefferson  Coimty,  in   1848.      He  sup- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  209 

plied  Smyrna  Church  from  1848  until  1863,  and  preached 
also  at  many  other  points.  He  has  taught  school  a  great 
deal  during  life.  During  the  war  he  was  cut  off  from  all 
association  with  his  own  Church.  He  then  connected 
with  the  General  Associate  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
finally  moved  to  Texas  and  for  many  years  preached  in 
the  southwestern  part  of  that  State.  For  several  years 
he  has  been  unable  to  preach  on  account  of  feeble  health. 
He  was  married  April  12th,  1848,  to  Miss  Sarah  A. 
Hearst,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  Hearst.  She 
was  born  in  Abbeville  County,  S.  C.  They  had  nine 
children.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  McCain  are  still  living  in  Bee 
County,  Texas. 

McCain,  Rev.  John  Wilson. — Son  of  Mr.  H.  H.  and 
Mrs.  N.  C.  (Simpson)  McCain,  was  born  at  Idaville, 
Tenn.,  Sept.  5,  1871.  From  early  life  he  was  identified 
with  Salem  church.  He  graduated  from  Erskine  College 
in  '96,  and  from  Erskine  Theological  Seminary  in  '98. 

He  received  license  to  preach  from  the  Memphis  Pres- 
bytery at  Salem,  Tenn.,  July  17,  '97.  He  supplied 
Shiloh,  Miss.,  that  summer.  In  '98  he  preached  in  Louis- 
ville, Ebenezer,  and  Hinkston,  Ky.,  and  New  Lebanon, 
W.  \'a.  The  Memphis  Presbytery  ordained  him,  sine 
titulo,  Dec.  5,  '98.  In  '99  he  supplied  Saline  Church 
in  the  Arkansas  Presbytery.  The  next  year  he  divided 
his  time  between  Saline  and  Hickory  Springs.  These 
two  churches  called  him  October,  1900.  He  was  in- 
stalled pastor  at  Saline,  June  30,  and  at  Hickory  Springs 
July  22,  the  following  year.  On  Sept.  11,  1901,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Lula  C.  Concrly,  at  Wilmar,  Ark.  .She  was 
born  and  reared  in  Tylertown,  Miss. 

McCaw,  David. — Son  of  James  and  Sarah  McWilliams 

McCaw,  was  born  in  Chester,  S.  C,  March  16,  1816.  His 

educational  advantages  in  early  life  were  limited  to  the 

old  field  schools  of  his  day,  but  being  anxious  to  secure 

14 


2IO  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

a  collegiate  education,  he  entered  Miami  University,  and 
graduated  from  that  institution  August  5,  1838. 

He  joined  the  Church  at  Hopewell,  Ohio,  under  the 
pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Claybaugh.  In  the  fall  of 
1841  he  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the 
First  Presbytery,  A.  R.  P.  Church,  in  Mecklenburg  Co., 
N.  C,  and  studied  theology  in  Erskine  Theological  Sem- 
inary at  Due  West,  S.  C.  He  was  licensed  and  ordained 
in  1842  by  the  First  Presbytery.  During  1841  and  1842 
he  was  tutor  in  Erskine  College,  and  in  the  fall  of  1842 
was  elected  a  professor  in  the  College,  in  which  capacity 
he  was  retained  until  the  fall  of  1848,  when  he  resigned. 
He  is  the  author  of  the  Motto  of  Erskine  College, 
"Scienfia  cum  morihns  conjnncta."  In  April,  1839,  he 
was  married  by  Rev.  Warren  Flenniken  in  Chester,  S.  C, 
to  Jane  Dickey  Torbit,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
Hare  Torbit.  She  was  born  in  Chester,  S.  C,  Oct.  16, 
1818.  Three  children  were  born  to  them,  two  daughters 
still  living,  and  a  son  who  died  in  1876-  She  died  June 
10,  1858.  She  was  a  good  woman  greatly  beloved  by  all 
who  knew  her.  He  was  married  a  second  time  to  a 
daughter  of  Hon.  John  B.  Cross  of  Jackson,  Tenn.  She 
was  born  in  182 1  and  died  July  20,  1898.  She  was  be- 
loved and  mourned  by  all. 

McClelland,  George  JVilliaiu. — Was  born  in  Newton 
Co.,  Ga.,  August  9th,  1825.  His  father  was  John 
McClelland,  and  his  mother  Miss  Lucy  Lummus.  He 
joined  the  church  June  i8th,  1843,  ^^  Hopewell,  Newton 
Co.,  Ga. 

He  enjoyed  little  or  no  educational  advantages.  He 
felt  called  to  preach  and  made  most  heroic  efforts  to 
obtain  an  education.  In  1844  he  went  to  the  home  of 
his  pastor,  Rev.  Thos.  Turner,  who  was  interested  in 
him  and  taught  him  for  a  time.  Fie  then  went  to 
Burke  Co.,  Georgia ,  and  studied  for  a  time  under 
Rev.    John     S.     Pressly.       His    health     failed    and    he 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


211 


had  many  obstacles  thrown  in  his  way,  but  he  per- 
severed and  finally  graduated  from  Erskine  College 
with  honor  in  1849.  He  was  received  as  a  student  of 
theology  Sept.  loth,  1849,  by  the  Georgia  Preslpytery. 
He  studied  privately  except  a  few  months  in  the  Sem- 
inary at  Due  West,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  at  Bethel, 
Burke  Co.,  Ga.,  Oct.  nth,  185 1.  He  taught  school  in 
Jefferson  Co.,  Ga.,  and  preached  in  the  pastoral  charge 
of  Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips  until  July,  1852.  He  was  then  sent 
to  Hopewell,  Maury  Co.,  Tenn.  He  took  sick  by  the  way 
and  was  never  able  to  preach  after  reaching  the  scene  of 
his  labors.  He  returned  to  Newton  Co.,  Ga..  and  died 
Nov.  15th,  1852. 


McClintock,  Ebciic::ei' 
Pressly,  D.  D.— Dr.  E.  P. 
McClintock  was  born  June 
nth,  1845,  "ear  to  wdiat  is 
now  Ora,  Laurens  Co.,  S. 
C.  in  the  bounds  of  Bethel 
congregation.  His  parents 
w^ere  John  and  Mary 
McClintock,  the  former  an 
elder  in   Bethel  church. 

He  was  brought  up  un- 
der the  ministry  of  Rev.  D. 
F.  Haddon,  and  though 
we  have  no  specific  knowl- 
edge of  his  childhood,  we 
are  safe  in  concluding  from  the  character  of  the  man 
that  he  was  quiet,  studious  and  obedient,  both  at  home 
and  in  school.  The  Ora  community  has  always  been 
noted  for  its  intelligence  and  love  of  education,  and  there 
was  a  good  school  there  in  Dr.  McClintock's  boyhood, 
which  he  attended. 

In  due  time  he  entered  Erskine  College,  graduating  in 
the  year  1861.  under  the  presidency  of  Dr.  E.  L.  Patton. 


p.     MCCLINTOCK. 


212  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

The  college  exercises  were  interrupted  that  year  on  ac- 
count of  the  Civil  War,  and  the  young  men  left  the 
institution  in  May  to  join  the  Confederate  Army,  the 
class  of  '6 1,  however,  were  afterwards  given  their  diplo- 
mas. Dr.  McClintock  was  two  years  a  Confederate 
soldier  in  Hampton's  Cavalry. 

In  the  fall  of  1867  he  entered  Erskine  Seminary,  hav- 
ing previously  connected  with  the  Second  Presbytery  as 
a  student  of  theology  at  Bethel,  his  former  church.  After 
completing  his  theological  studies  he  was  licensed  by  the 
Second  Presbytery  at  Prosperity,  S.  C,  in  July,  1869. 
He  did  some  missionary  work  in  Mississippi  and  Ken- 
tucky for  four  months,  and  was  then  sent  as  supply  to 
Thompson  St.  and  Kings  Creek  Churches  in  Newberry. 
Re  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  these  congregations  in 
1 87 1,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  in  August  of  that 
year  by  the  Second  Presbytery.  For  twelve  years  he 
continued  to  serve  as  pastor  over  the  united  charge,  liv- 
ing in  the  country  in  the  bounds  of  Kings  Creek  congre- 
gation. In  1883  he  gave  up  this  church,  moved  to  New- 
berry and  devoted  his  whole  time  to  the  town  church. 

The  Thomson  St.  congregation  has  been  greatly 
strengthened  during  the  last  few  years.  When  Dr. 
McClintock  first  went  to  Newberry  there  were  only 
eight  or  ten  members,  there  are  now  120  enrolled.  In 
May  17th,  1870,  Dr.  McClintock  married  Miss  Elizabeth 
Jane  Young  of  Due  West,  daughter  of  Prof.  John  N. 
Young  and  Eleanor  Euphemia  Strong,  she  has  proved  to 
be  a  great  helper  to  the  pastor  in  his  work,  though  often 
in  delicate  health.  Five  children  have  been  born,  two 
are  now  living,  Miss  Euphemia,  who  is  the  accomplished 
president  of  the  Presbyterian  College  for  Women  in 
Columbia,  S.  C,  and  Miss  Mary  Law,  who  is  the  lady 
principal  of  Ward  Seminary,  Nashville,  Tenn.  These 
two  daughters  are  the  pride  of  their  parents,  having 
fine  minds  and  thorough  training,  both  of  them  are 
graduates  of  the  "Women's  College"  of  Baltimore. 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


213 


Dr.  McClintock  is  an  excellent  preacher  and  much  be- 
loved pastor.  At  this  writing  his  congregation  is  taking 
steps  to  build  a  new  and  handsome  house  of  worship  in 
a  most  desirable  lot. 


7.     K.     M'-'CORM  ICK. 


McCorinick,  John  Rob- 
ert,— Son  of  Nathaniel 
Davis  and  Sarah  Harris 
McCormick,  was  born  near 
Old  Providence,  in  Au- 
gusta Co.,  Va.,  Dec.  5th, 
1863.  He  became  a  mem- 
ber of  Old  Providence 
when  15  years  of  age.  He 
was  educated  in  the  local 
schools  and  at  Hunters- 
ville,  X.  C,  and  Erskine 
CoU'ege,  and  graduated 
from  the  Theological  Sem- 
inary at  Due  West  in  1893. 
The  Second  Presbytery  licensed  him  April  7th,  1893. 
He  supplied  Broad  Creek,  Va.,  from  ]n\y  ist,  1893,  to 
November,  1897.  ^^^^  Virginia  Presbytery  ordained  him 
si)w  fitiilo.  April  13th,  1894.  Synod  removed  him  to  the 
Texas  field  the  latter  part  of  1897.  From  that  time 
he  was  stated  sup])ly  of  Richland  and  Harmony  until 
installed  their  pastor,  April  14th,  1899.  He  was  mar- 
ried April  14th,  1894,  to  Miss  Margaret  H.  Brown, 
daughter  of  Col.  R.  H.  Brown  of  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va. 
Mrs.  McCormick  has  been  a  helpmeet  indeed  to  her  hus- 
band. Mr.  McCormick  has  given  his  strength  and  time 
unsparingly  to  the  work  and  his  pastorate  has  been 
blessed  in  the  building  of  his  churches.  Energy,  purity 
and  unselfishness  are  prominent  traits  of  character. 


McConiiack,  Charles  D. — Son  of  Nathanael  Davis  and 
Sarah    Margaret     (Harris)     McCormick.    born    Dec.    7. 


214 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


1870,,  in  Old  Providence,  Augusta  Co.,  Va.  This  pious 
boy  decided  to  enter  the  ministr}-  at  15,  and  joined  Old 
Providence  at  16.  Preparing  for  college  to  this  end  at 
A'alley  Hig^h  School  under  Messrs.  R.  A.  Lee,  A.  E.  Bell 
and  J.  A.  McClure.  he  spent  three  years  at  Erskine  Col- 
lege and  two  in  the  Seminary  there. 

License  was  granted  by  the  Second  Presbytery,  April 
9,  1898.  Was  transferred  to  the  Virginia  Presbytery,  Nov. 
4th,  1899.  He  preached  at  Broad  Creek,  Va.,  August, 
1898  and  in  Kentucky  six  weeks  July  and  August,  1899. 
A  severe  catarrh  of  the  throat  caused  him  reluctantly  to 
lay  down  the  work  to  which  he  had  dedicated  his  young- 
manhood.  He  resides  on  a  farm  in  Old  Providence 
congregation,  is  efficient  in  Church  work  and  is  stated 
clerk  of  the  Virginia  Presbytery. 

AlcCoy,  Robert  M. — Was  received  from  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church,  by  First  Presbytery,  April  3,  1837, 
and  licensed  by  that  Presbytery  first  Wednesday  of  Dec, 
1837.  Joined  Presbytery  of  Tennnessee  in  fall  of  1838. 
Graduated  at  Miami,  Ohio.  Married  Barbara  Millen. 
daughter  of  John  Millen,  of  Union,,  S.  C.  Missionary 
in  West  Tennessee,  1837- 1838.  Ordained  by  Tennessee 
Presbytery  in  spring  of  1839.  Stated  supply  of  Troy, 
Obion  Co.,  Tenn.,  from  licensure  till  1845.  Dismissed 
to  serve  Presbytery  Second  Synod  West  in  1845.  Joined 
the  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery  of  Springfield  in 
June,  1845.  Passed  in  a  few  months  to  Presbytery  of 
Illinois,  and  in  1847  received  a  certificate  to  connect  else- 
where. Died  April  12,  1879,  in  Texas,  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian church.     "Scouller." 

McCrcary,  David. — Son  of  Joseph  McCreary,  and' 
Mary  Boggs,,  was  born  in  Abbeville,  S.  C,  Oct.  30,  1816. 
He  attended  common  schools  in  Abbeville,  and  later  Er- 
skine College,  where  he  graduated  in  1843.  ^^  joined 
the  church  at  Cedar  S])rings,  and  attended  the  Theologi- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  215 

cal  Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  but  was  never  licensed 
to  preach.  He  was  never  married,  and  died  in  William- 
son Co.,  Texas,  August  17,  1852,  from  bilious  fever,  and 
is  buried  in  the  cemetery  on  Brushy  Creek  in  that  county. 
Mr.  McCreary,  while  a  student  of  theology,  went  to 
Dallas  Co.,  Ala.,  where  he  taught  school  a  year.  Being  in 
poor  health  he  removed  to  Texas  in  hope  of  being  bene- 
fited. An  affection  of  the  throat  is  thought  to  have  been 
his  reason  for  never  preaching.  He  was  a  brother  of  Rev. 
Joseph  McCreary. 

McCrcary.  Joseph. — Son  of  Joseph  AlcCreary  and 
Mary  Boggs,  was  born  in  the  Cedar  Springs  neighbor- 
hood, Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  May  3,  1812.  He  attended 
school  in  Abbeville,  but  while  yet  a  youth  became  very 
desirous  of  a  higher  education.  He  therefore  joined  a 
body  of  emigrants  and  walked  the  distance  through  to 
Oxford,  ().,  lending  help  to  the  drivers  when  necessary. 
To  pay  his  expenses  through  school,  he  gave  up  his  in- 
terest in  his  father's  estate  to  his  brother.  In  the  Univer- 
sity, his  fellow-students  nicknamed  him  the  "Philosopher 
of  the  School."     He  graduated  in  1834. 

He  joined  the  A.  R.  Church  at  Cedar  Springs  previous 
to  his  entering  the  University,  and  immediately  after 
graduating  he  went  from  Oxford  to  Allegheny,  Pa.,  and 
entered  the  Associate  Reformed  Seminary.  He  was 
licensed  by  the  Second  Presbyterv  in  1836.  He  luission- 
ated  in  company  with  Rev.  J.  C.  Chalmers  in  Florida, 
Georgia,  Alabama  and  some  in  Indiana.  In  the  fall  of 
1839  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  congregation 
in  Wilcox  Co..  Ala.,  now  known  as  Bethel,  and  was  in- 
stalled over  that  church  in  1840,  where  he  was  a  faithful 
shepherd  till  his  death. 

Mr.  McCrcar}-  was  one  of  the  victims  of  the  ill-faeted 
"Lucy  Walker,"  which  blew  up  on  the  Ohio  River,  Oct. 
23,  1844.  He  and  other  brethren  returning  from  a 
meeting   of    Synod    in    Kentucky   took   passage   on    this 


2l6 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


steamboat.  The  explosion  of  her  boilers  wrecked  the 
boat  and  killed  and  injured  a  number  of  her  passengers. 
He  lived  for  two  daj^s  after  the  explosion — dying  Oct. 
25,  1844.  His  last  words  were  "Lord  Jesus,  receive  my 
Spirit."     He  was  buried  in  New  Albany,  Ind. 

Joseph  McCreary  was  married  to  Mary  Bonner 
August  15,  1839.  She  was  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Annie  Lee  (Joel)  Bonner,  and  was  born  near  Cedar 
Springs,  S.  C,  Nov.  13,  1818.  In  18 19  she  was  moved 
with  her  parents  to  Monroe  Co.,  .Ala.  She  is  the  mother 
of  3  children.  Mrs.  McCreary  still  lives,  residing  in  Cor- 
sicana,  Texas. 

Both  of  Mr.  McCreary's  grandfathers  died  of  yellow 
fever,  in  Charleston,  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  His 
father  was  a  lawyer,  and  Joseph  was  one  of  7  children. 


McDanicl  Robert  War- 
den.— Son  of  Rev.  James 
Lowr\-  McDaniel  and  Lliz- 
beth  Baird,  was  born 
near  Cotton  Plant,  Miss., 
May  13,  1869.  In  early 
youth  his  educational  op- 
portunities were  very  lim- 
ited. After  he  became  of 
age  he  began  to  feel  the 
necessity  of  an  education, 
but  it  was  not  until  he 
was  twenty-six  years  old 
that  he   found   ojjportunity 

R.    W.    MC    DANIEL.  f^-,     ^^^^^.,^,J     ^^hool.         Havlug 

then  accumulated  a  little  over  $700.00.  including  about 
$180.00  from  his  father's  estate,  he  entered  the  male 
academy  in  Covington,  Tenn.,  under  the  direction  of 
Prof.  James  Byars,  where  he  studied  for  two  years. 
Then  he  went  to  the  Robison  High  School  for  about  two 
years,  and  entered  F.rskine  College  in   189c).     Two  vears 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  217 

later  he  entered  the  Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  and 
completed  the  course  in  June  of  1903. 

He  joined  the  Associate  Reformed  Church  at  Salem, 
Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  during  the  year  1884,  was  received 
as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  ^lemphis  Presbytery  in 
1901.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  the  (jospel  by  that 
Presbytery  at  a  called  meeting  at  Salem,  June  30,  1903. 

He    was    married    June    25th,    1903,    to    Miss    Annie 

Belle    Dunlap only    living   child    of   the    late    Wm.    H. 

Dunlap  of  Salem.  Tenn. 

McDai'.icl,  James  LoK'ry,  a  son  of  Edward  McDaniel 
and  Mary  Lowry,  was  born  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  Jan. 
1818.  He  worked  his  own  way  through  college,  teach- 
ing and  attending  college  alternately,  graduating  in  Er- 
skine  College,  in  1849.  That  year  he  was  received  as  a 
student  of  Theology  and  prosecuted  his  studies  in  Er- 
skine  Theological  Seminary. 

He  was  licensed  to  preach  in  185 1  by  the  Second 
Presbytery.  He  missionated  one  year  preaching-  in  Ten- 
nessee, Mississippi  and  Georgia.  He  accepted  a  call  from 
White  Oak.  Coweta  Co..  Ga.,  in  1852,  preaching  and 
teaching  there  till  the  fall  of  1856,  when  he  removed  to 
Tippah  Co.,  Miss.,  and  took  charge  of  the  Presbytery 
Academy  at  Ebenezer,  preaching  as  he  had  opportunity. 
He  taught  there  until  1861.  It  was  during  this  period  in 
the  spring  of  1859  he  was  called  to  mourn  the  death  of 
his  wife,  Melinda  Eliza,  daughter  of  John  Lindsay  Ellis 
and  Mahala  Ellis.  She  was  born  in  Due  West.  S.  C, 
May  10.  1831,  and  died  in  Tippah  Co..  I\Iiss..  April  26, 
1859.  They  were  married  at  Due  \\'est  in  1852.  and  five 
children  were  born  unto  them. 

He  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Raird.  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Jennette  Baird,  in  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  in  1861.  She 
was  born  ^March  24,  1834,  in  Chester  Co..  S.  C,  and  died 
March  28.   1876,  in  Tipton  Co..  Tenn.      Seven  children 


2i8  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

were  born  to  them,  two  of  whom  are  dead,  one  is  a 
practiciiig  physician  in  Arkansas  and  another,  R. 
Warden,  completed  his  course  in  Erskine  Theological 
Seminary  in  June  of  this  year,  1903,  and  all  are  useful 
members  of  the  Church  and  society- 
He  removed  to  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  in  1872,  and  there 
lived  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  March  9,  1887, 
and  his  body  lies  in  the  Salem  graveyard  awaiting  the 
resurrection. 

McDonald,  Rev.  James  Calvin. — Was  born  Dec.  23, 
1839,  in  the  bounds  of  Long  Cane,  S.  C.  He  was  the 
oldest  child  of  John  and  Sarah  ( Shanks )  McDonald. 
In  the  spring  of  i860,  he  joined  White  Oak  church,  Ga. 
The  31st  of  May,  186 1,  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate 
army,  in  Company  'T,'"  7th  Georgia  regiment.  He  was 
a  faithful  soldier,  but  lost  his  right  arm  in  a  battle  in 
East  Tennessee,  Nov.  16,  1863.  He  returned  to  his 
friends  in  Coweta  Co.,  Ga.,  where  he  remained  two 
years. 

His  desire  was  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  finding  his 
way  back  to  Long-  Cane,  S.  C,  he  entered  the  High 
School  taught  by  Rev.  E.  L.  Patton,  L.  L.  D.,  in  January 
or  February,  1866.  Friends  in  the  community  paid  his 
expenses  during  his  three  years  in  the  High  School.  In 
October,  1869,  he  entered  the  Junior  Class  in  Erskine 
College,  as  a  beneficiary  of  the  second  Presbytery.  The 
next  year  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  'yz.  The  Second  Presby- 
tery licensed  him  Septemeber  7,  ^2.  From  November 
10,  1872,  to  October  10,  1874,  he  supplied  Prosperity 
and  New  Llope,  Ark.  He  was  ordained  by  the  .Vrkansas 
Presbytery  Sept.  20,  1874,  at  Saline,  and  installed  pas- 
tor of  Prosperity  and  New  Hope,  the  loth  of  the  fol- 
lowing October.  Three  days  later  he  married  Miss  Susan 
E.  L.  Chesnut.  daughter  of  William  R.  Chesnut,  a  worthy 
elder  in  Prosperity,  and  a  native  of  Hen-""-   '"o.,  Ga. 


SKETCHES    OF     MINISTERS. 


219 


He  (lemitted  the  charg-e  of  Prosperity  in  1876,  and  of 
New  Hope  in  1881.  He  continued  to  supply  these 
churches  frequently  for  years,  besides  preaching  in  des- 
titute neighborhoods  and  giving  much  attention  to  Sab- 
bath School  work.  His  wife  died  August  ri,  1900.  He 
was  married  again  Nov.  19,  1901,  to  Miss  Fannie 
McCombs,  of  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  who  was  the  object 
of  his  afifections  while  attending  the  High  School  32 
years  before. 


McDonald,  Laughlin. — 
Son  of  John  and  Marga- 
ret (McCurry)  McDon- 
ald, was  born  in  Hart  Co;, 
Ga.,  Oct.  3rd.  1810.  His 
parents  were  members  of 
the  A.  R.  P.  church  of 
^^ti^^  '^^  ^Bl^^  Generostee.  ten  miles 
^^^■^  ^^^^^m  "^^^^     father     died 

^^^^B        ^^^^^m  In    1832.   he 

^^^B     ^/(^^^  entered  an  academy  known 

^    ^^^^  as      Drake's      Old      Field, 

three  miles  east  of  Due 
West,  S.  C..  taught  by 
Rev.  John  S.  Pressly.  In  one  year  he  was  prepared  for 
the  Sophomore  class  in  Miami  University,  Ohio,  where 
he  graduated  in  i83(').  After  a  course  of  theology  un- 
der Dr.  E.  E.  Pressl}\  the  Second  Presbytery  commis- 
sioned him  a  probationer.  Oct.  5th.  1838.  On  the  icth 
of  Dec,  1830.,  he  was  by  the  First  Presbytery  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  of  Tirzah.  York  Co.,  and  Union, 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C.  The  former  was  demitted  Oct,  4, 
185 1,  and  assumed  pastoral  oversight  of  Neely's  Creek, 
York  Co.,  S.  C,  Sept.  5th,  1853.  On  account  of  bodily 
infirmity,  this  extensive  charge  was  given  back  to  Pres- 
bytery Sept.  5th.  1870.  and  New  Ho])e,  Fairfield  Co.,  S. 


U       MCDONALD. 


220  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

C,  became  his  pastoral  charge  April  28th,  1871.  Here 
he  labored  most  acceptably  though  with  many  interrup- 
tions on  account  of  cancer,  which  caused  his  death. 
March  26th,  1874.  The  Synod  of  1854  made  him  mod- 
erator. He  selected  as  life  companion,  June,  1840,  Miss 
Margaret  S.,  daughter  of  Mr.  Robert  Brice,  of  New 
Hope,  S.  C.  This  companionship  was  dissolved  by  her 
early  and  lamented  death,  Jan.,  1842,  leaving  a  daughter 
only  a  few  months  old.  In  1843,  a  second"  matrimonial 
connection  was  formed  with  Miss  Melissa  L..  daughter 
of  Daniel  G.  Stinson,  of  Chester  Co.,  S.  C.  A  rare 
jewel'  of  Christian  character,  she  fell  on  sleep  at  Winns- 
boro,  S.  C,  Nov.  15th,  1890. 

''Rev.  Laughlin  jMcDonald  was  a  grand  man.  Phy- 
sically, he  was  above  the  average  size,  but  his  form 
was  very  symmetrical.  Rev.  Laughlin  McDonald  always 
presented  the  mien  of  an  individual  who  had  been  trained 
in  a  militarv  school.  In  his  general  appearance  there 
was  something  princely  wdiich  always  attracted  attention. 
There  was  in  his  gait  the  dignity  of  the  clergyman  and 
the  stately  air  of  ^the  soldier.  These  elements  were  so 
blended  and  combined  in  his  nature  as  to  present  not 
even  a  trace  of  the  repulsive. 

He  was  the  son  of  poor  parents.  His  mother  was  left 
a  widow  when  he  was  a  boy.  The  home  of  his  parents 
was  in  a  rural  district,  surrounded  by  a  people  stran- 
gers to  everything  which  is  called  refinement.  In  spite 
of  all  these  unfavorable  surroundings,  Laughlin  McDon- 
ald was  a  man  of  polished  manners.  If  in  childhood  and 
3^outh  he  contracted  uncouth  modes  of  speech  or  rural 
wavs,  these  were,  on  arriving  at  manhood,  removed,  root 
and  branch. 

Around  the  humble  hearthstone  in  a  rural  district  of 
Georgia,  far  away  from  the  learned  and  elite,  Margaret 
McDonald  taught  her  son  Laughlin  the  principles  of  the 
Christian  religion,  and  thus,  as  an  humble  instrument  in 
the  hand  of  God,  made  him  a  polished  gentleman  like  his 
di\ine  Master. 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  221 

Great  as  was  Rev.  Langhlin  McDonald  when  viewed 
simply  with  respect  to  his  social  endowments,  it  is  as 
a  preacher  that  he  is  best  known.  Here  it  may  be  said 
that  God  bestowed  upon  him  many  gifts  wdiich  specially 
fitted  him  for  being  an  ambassador  of  the  cross.  There 
was  something  attractive  and  commanding  in  his  per- 
sonal appearance..  In  his  early  ministry  'Sir.  ^McDonald 
was,  apparently,  beset  by  none  of  the  infirmities  of  the 
fiesh.  His  personal  appearance  in  the  pulpit  was  com- 
manding. Again,  he  was  possessed  of  a  voice  of  wonder- 
ful compass  and  exquisite  melody.  To  his  majestic  per- 
sonal appearance  and  marvelous  voice  power  may  be 
added  a  vivid  imagination,  very  superior  descriptive 
powers,  and  a  heart  susceptible  of  being  moved  easily 
and  powerfully.  With  his  natural  abilities,  had  he 
entered  the  political  arena,  he  would  have  ranked  with 
Daniel  Webster  and  Henry  Clay ;  had  he  chosen  the 
forum,  he  would  have  taken  position  in  that  place  where 
A\'ebster  said,  "There  is  always  room."  'Tt  may  be  safely 
said  that  had  he  settled  in  New  York,  and  been  in  con- 
nection with  some  of  the  large  denominations,  he  would 
have  ranked  among  the  first  pulpit  orators."' — Robert 
Lathan,  D.  D.  He  bore  the  sore  bereavement  of  cancer 
of  the  face  with  Christian  fortitude  and  patience,  express- 
ing a  desire  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ  which  is  far 
better. 

McDonald,  Charles  Edgar. — Son  of  Rev.  Laughlin 
and  ^Melissa  Lucinda  (Stinson)  McDonald,  was  born 
near  Richburg,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  Nov.  23rd,  1859.  Pre- 
pared for  college  at  New  Hope,  S.  C,  by  Mr.  H.  M., 
now  Dr.,  Henry,  he  graduated  at  Erskine  College,  July 
4th,  1877.  Spending  the  next  two  years  with  his  wid- 
owed mother  on  their  farm  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  his 
theological  course  was  taken  at  Erskine  Seminary  and 
license  was  granted  him  by  the  First  Presbytery,  Sept. 
6th,    1881.      Steele    Creek,    Mecklenburg    Co.,    N.    C, 


222 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


E.     MCDONALD. 


called  this  promising  li- 
centiate and  his  ordina- 
tion and  installation  took 
place  Nov.  3rd,  1882.  From 
Oct.,  1885,  to  April,  1886, 
by  consent  of  his  congre- 
gation and  arrangement 
of  his*  Presbytery,  he  sup- 
plied the  mission  in  Char- 
lotte, N.  C.  On  Dec.  23rd. 
1886,  he  was  happily  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Margaret 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Mr. 
Robert  Hemphill  Harris, 
of  York  Co.,  S.  C.  She 
was  born  July  28th,  1866,  and  graduated  from  the  Char- 
lotte Female  Institute,  1885.  During  his  pastorate  at 
Steele  Creek,  the  two  former  sites,  Steele  Creek  and 
Blackstocks,  were  sold  and  Central  was  built  and  hard 
by  a  manse.  Both  these  were  large  and  comfortable. 
This  congregation  was  demitted  April  5th,  1892,  and 
installed  pastor  of  Winnsboro,  S.  C.  May  13th,  1892. 
A  new  parsonage  and  a  new  church  seem  to  be  his  twin 
passions.  Soon  after  his'-  pastorate  began  at  Winnsboro, 
a  large  and  elegant  parsonage  was  bought  and  the  Cen- 
tennial Synod,  1903,  will  dedicate  the  new  church. 

He  was  moderator  of  the  Synod  at  Due  West,  1895, 
delegate  to  the  Young  People's  Convention  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  5,  1898, 
and  made  an  address  "Echoes  from  the  Cross" ;  and  an 
appointed  delegate  to  the  Psalm  Singers'  Conference  at 
Belfast,  Ireland,  Aug.,  1902. 

In  1884  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  South  Carolina 
Historical  Society.  From  1893  to  1902  the  editorship  of 
the  A.  R.  P.  Quarterly  was  his  responsibility  and  he  has 
served  as  editor  of  the  Woman's  Department  of  the  A.  R. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  223 

Presbytcriaji  for  fifteen  years.  A  delightful  and  in- 
structive companion,  a  bright  and  sunny  Christian,  a 
welcome  guest,  a  ripe  scholar,  an  efficient  presbyter,  a 
devoted  pastor,  a  popular  orator,  an  eloquent  preacher, 
and  a  devoted  Christian,  he  lives  yet  in  the  hearts  and 
works,  in  the  homes  of  a  delighted  people. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  Mrs.  McDonald  has 
passed  hence,  falling  asleep  most  happily  June  15th,  1903. 

McElroy,  Rev.  John. — Rev.  John  McElroy's  father 
was  Samuel  McElroy.  His  mother.  Mary  Stevenson. 
He  was  born  in  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C,  November  30th, 
1805.  He  enjoyed  the  most  limited  educational  advan- 
tages. He  joined  the  church  in  early  life.  He  studied 
theology  privately  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the 
Georgia  Presbytery  at  Bethesda,  Cobb  Co.,  Ga.  He  sup- 
plied Doraville,  Ga.,  and  White  Oak,  Ga.,  but  was  never 
installed  as  pastor.  He  married  Margaret  Chestnut 
McDill,  of  Newton  County,  Georgia,  a  daughter  of 
George  and  Margaret  Douglas  McDill.  His  wife  was 
born  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  Feb.  15,  181 2.  They  had 
one  living  child.     She  died  May  i8th,  1884. 

McElroy.  Andrci<'  Jackson. — Andrew  Jackson  McEl- 
roy's parents  were  Samuel  McElroy  and  ]\Iary  Steven- 
son. He  was  born  in  Anderson  County,  S.  C,  March 
15,  1 8 16.  He  received  a  common  school  education  and 
prepared  for  college  under  Rev.  T.  T.  Turner,  but  did 
not  graduate.  He  joined  Prosperity  Church,  near  Dora- 
ville,  Ga.„  Aug.  13th.  1836.  He  was  received  as  a  stu- 
dent of  divinity  by  the  Georgia  Presbytery,  and  entered 
the  Seminary  at  Due  West.  He  preached  at'' Bethesda 
and  Prosperity,  in  DeKalb  Co.,  Ga.,  in  1844.  He  went  to 
Decatur  Co.,  Ga.,  in  1845.  and  preached  until  1856.  He 
was  ordained  and  installed  by  the  Georgia  Presbytery 
at  their  spring  meeting  in  1847,  ^^  Pleasant  Grove,  De- 
catur Co.,  Ga. 


224  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

After  this  he  returned  and  preached  at  Prosperity  and 
White  Oak  until  after  the  war.  He  was  installed  pas- 
tor of  White  Oak.  He  married,  in  1840,  Miss  Margaret 
McDonald,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Neal  and  Sarah  Curry 
McDonald.  His  wife  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  in 
1820.  She  was  the  mother  of  six  children.  She  died  at 
the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Byrani,  in  Nashville, 
Tenn.  Her  husband  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  editor 
of  The  Joncshoro  Nczvs,  at  Jonesboro,  Georgia. 

X  McEkvee,  William   Meek, 

'   '  *^  D.       D.  —  Rev.       William 

Meek     McElwee,     D.     D., 

was    the    son    of    William 

'  McElwee        and        Rachel 

Newman,  and  was  born  on 
i  Clark's    Fork,    York    Co., 

S.  C,  April  1st,  1802.  His 
education  was  received  at 
Statesville,  N.  C,  under 
Rev.  John  Mushat,  and  he 
graduated  at  the  South 
Carolina  College  in  1820. 
In    pursuing    his   theologi- 

W.     M.     MCELWEE,     SR.,    D.     D.  . 

cal  studies,  he  spent  one 
year  under  Rev  John  Mushat,  at  Statesville,  N.  C,  and 
completed  his  course  in  the  Associate  Seminary  at  Can- 
onsburg.  Pa.,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Associate  Presby- 
tery of  the  Carolinas,  Aug  3rd,  1825.  On  April  25th, 
1827,  he  was  ordained  by  the  same  Presbytery,  and  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Sharon  and  Tirzah,  York  Co.,  S.  C. 
This  pastoral  relation  continued  until  Oct.,  1832. 

At  that  time,  owing  to  the  agitation  on  the  subject  of 
slavery,  he  demitted  his  charge  in  S.  C.  and  went  north, 
and  became  pastor  of  the  Associate  congregations  of 
Frankfort  Springs  and  Service,  in  P>eaver  Co.,  Pa.,  in 
1833,  and  continued  pastor  there  for  many  years. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


225 


He  died  June  ist,  1886,  at  Frankfort  Springs,  Pa. 

Mr.  McElwee  was  married  in  1825  at  Canonsburg,  Pa., 
to  Miss  Maria  Ramsey,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  James 
Ramsey,  President  of  the  Associate  Seminary  at  Can- 
onsburg.  They  had  no  children,  and  she  died  only  a 
little  more  than  a  month  before  her  husband.  Dr. 
McElwee  was  a  man  of  large  influence  in  his  church,  and 
had  much  to  do  in  bringing  about  the  union  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Synod  and  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  which 
formed  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  North 
America. 

McEhvee,    William  Meek, 

D.     D. — Descended      from 

John      R.      and      Rebekah 

McElwee,    both    of    whose 

parents,  John  and  William, 

were    elders   and    founders 

of   Bethany,   York   Co.,   S. 

C,    was    born    Jan.     loth, 

1826,    the    subject    of    this 

sketch,   in   York   Co.,   S.C. 

His     Hannah-like     mother 

devoted  him  to  the  minis- 

trv    from    his    very    birth. 

After   five   vears,   spent   in 
.  D.  -  ^ 

Erskine    College,    he    was 

Studying  divinity  in  the  home  of 
Rev.  J.  (^i.  Witherspoon,  of  Coddle  Creek,  N.  C,  till  his 
death.  Jan.  6,  1846,  the  course  was  completed  at  Erskine 
Seminary  and  license  granted  by  the  First  Presbytery 
A]iril  i8th,  1848.  About  the  first  of  May.  1848,  he 
reached  the  \'alley  of  A^irginia  commissioned  to  supply 
Ebenezer  and  Broad  Creek,  Rockbridge  Co.  His  at- 
tractive manners,  pulpit  eloquence  and  earnest  piety 
won  these  hospitable  and  well  indoctrinated  \'irginians, 
and  after  supplying  them  some  two  years,  he  was  or- 
dained and  installed  pastor  July  26th,  1850. 
15 


W.    M.    MCELWEE,   JK.,   D 

graduated   in    1845 


226  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

Broad  Creek  was  demitted  in  i860  and  the  whole  time 
given  to  Ebenezer  and  Bethel,  a  new  organization  on 
Kerr's  Creek.  This  charge  opened  up  bright  prospects 
for  pastor  and  people  and  a  numerous,  loyal  and  loving 
people  waited  on  his  ministry.  If  it  was  a  hard  and  dis- 
couraging struggle  during  the  dark  days,  '61  to  '65,  it 
was  possibly  more  so  seemingly  when  money  and  other 
property  was  lost,  farms  dilapidated,  stock  taken  and 
many  discouraged.  Because  of  these  discouragements 
the  pastor  was  constrained  to  visit  by  invitation  some 
Southern  sympathizers  in  Washington  Co.,  Pa.,  and  Bel- 
mont Co..  Ohio,  but  he  did  not  see  his  way  to  accept  a 
call  there.  Ebenezer  and  Bethel,  Va.,  were  demitted 
April  17,  1868,  and  he  became  a  member  of  the  Ken- 
tucky Presbytery,  supplying  their  vacancies.  He  was 
honored  and  entrusted  by  the  Synod  to  extend  her  salu- 
tations to  the  General  Assembly  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Louisville,  Ky.,  May,  1870.  Oct.  13th  of  that  year,  he, 
with  some  others  of  his  Presbytery,  joined  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  In  1851  his  life  was  linked  with  Miss 
Anna  R.  Harvey,  of  Lexington,  Va.,  "a  lady  of  remark- 
able intelligence  and  strength  of  mind  and  character." 
She  died  lamented  July  i,  1901.  Kings  College,  Bristol, 
Tenn.,  conferred  the  title  of  D.  D.  in  1895. 

Universally  loved  and  honored  by  his  people,  he  toiled 
in  the  ministry  over  half  a  century  and  received  his  re- 
ward Aug.  24th,    1901. 

McKnight,  James. — Son  of  James  and  Mrs  (McKey) 
McKnight,  born  two  miles  northeast  of  Coddle  Creek, 
N.  C,  Feb.  3rd,  1770;  was  graduated  at  Dickinson  Col- 
lege, Pa.,  May  2nd,  1792,  and  studied'  theology  privately 
with  Rev.  Alexander  Dobbin,  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.  The 
Second  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  granted  him 
license  April  3rd,  1794,  and  ordination  Sept.,  1796,  and 
he  was  sent  to  supply  vacancies  in  Kentucky  and  Caro- 
lina.    His  installation  as  pastor  of  Coddle  Creek,  Iredell 


SKETCHES     or    MINISTERS. 


227 


Co.,  and  Prosperity  and  Gilead,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C, 
occurred  in  1797.  His  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Tor- 
rence,  of  Coddle  Creek  took  place  some  time  prior  to 
this.  Xo  children  were  the  fruit'  of  this  marriage,  and 
she  died  Nov.  loth,  1830,  in  the  62nd  year  of  her  age. 

He  retained  this,  his  only  charge,  covering  a  large  part 
of  upper  Mecklenburg  and  parts  of  Iredell  and  Cabarras 
till  his  death,  Sept.  17th,  1831.  Accompanied  by  an  elder 
from  Prosperity,  Henry  Hunter,  he  attended  the  first 
meeting  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia, 
May  9th,  1803. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  energy  and  power ;  weighing 
300  lbs.,  he  always  rode  Jehu-like,  and  consequently  a 
sway  back  horse.  His  voice  was  in  proportion  to  his 
size  and  energy  and  youths  at  a  far  distant  spring  dis- 
cussing the  last  general  muster  could  make  their  absent 
mother  believe  they  heard  the  sermon.  These  were  the 
days  of  long  sermons,  and  two  at  that,  and  often  the 
stars  were  out  and  the  chickens  on  roost  when  a  family 
two  miles  distant  reached  home.  His  marriage  cere- 
mony was  usuall}'  an  hour.  As  he  was  unw^earying  in 
the  pulpit,  so  he  was  systematic  and  faithful  in  family 
visitation. 

During  a  sermon  which  had  consumed  the  greater  part 
of  a  long  summer  evening,  and  the  sun  getting  low,  Mr. 
Blackstocks  arose  and  addressed  Mr.  IMcKnight,  "My 
brother,  what  you  are  saying  is  very  good,  but  it  is  grow- 
ing late  and  many  of  these  people  have  a  long  road  to 
get  home.  Such  being  the  case,  I  think  you  had  better 
bring  your  discourse  to  a  close."  To  this  Mr.  McKnight 
replied  :  "My  hearers,  God's  ministers  never  have  any- 
thing good  to  say  but  Satan  is  throwing  some  hindrance 
in  the  way.  Paul  preached  till  midnight  on  one  occa- 
sion." 

"Yes,  he  did,"  rejoined  Mr.  Blackstocks,  "and  a  young 
man  fell  down  from  the  loft  and  was  taken  up  dead, 
and  now  do  you  think  if  some  of  these  people  get  killed 


228 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


going-  home,  that  you  can  restore  them  to  life  as  Paul  did 
that  young  man?" 

McLain,  James  Millen. 
— Son  of  Henry  and  Isa- 
bella Catherine  (White) 
McLain,  was  born  in  Al- 
exander Co.,  N.  C,  Aug. 
6th,  1848.  Prepared  for 
college  at  Elk  Shoal  Acad- 
emy, under  the  magnetic 
Pres,sly  and  the  majestic 
Burke,  he  graduated  at 
Erskine  College,  July  10, 
1872.  After  spending  one 
session  at  the  U.  P.  Sem- 
inary, Monmouth,  111.,  and 
another  at  Erskine  Divin- 
ity Hall,,  he  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery,  Sept. 
7th,  1875.  Early  afterwards  he  began  as  stated  supply 
of  King's  Mountain  and  Bethel,  Cleveland  Co.,  N.  C, 
and  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor,  June  i,  1877. 
King's  Mountain  was  demitted  April  5th,  1881,  and 
Bethel,,  Sept  6,  1882.  In  two  weeks  he  joined  the  Pres- 
byterian church. 

He  was,  March  6th,  1877,  happily  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Ellen,  daughter  of  A.  P.  Campbell,  M.  D.,  of 
Clover,  S.  C.  She  was  born  Aug.  19th,  1857,  and  is  an 
amiable  and  devoted  wife  and  mother.  He  resides  at, 
and  is  pastor  of.  Poplar  Tent,  Cabarras  Co.,  N.  C,  an 
earnest,  acceptable  and  useful  minister. 


M.     Mi^LAIN. 


McLaughlin,  Isaac  Grier. — Born  near  Sardis,  Meck- 
lenburg Co.,  N.  C,  Jan.  29,  1820;  began  Latin  at  14 
under  Dr.  Williamson ;  finished  preparatory  studies  at 
Union  Academy,  under  Revs.  R.  C.  Grier  and  James 
Walker.  On  horseback  he  went  to  Jefferson,  in  the  fall  of 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  229 

1838,  and  graduated  in  the   fall  of   1841.     One  session 
was  spent  in  Erskine  Seminary. 

In  company  with  Rev.  E.  E.  Boyce,  he  traveled  over- 
land to  Canonsburg,  Pa.,  to  complete  his  Theological 
education,  and  there  also  on  Oct.  9th,  1842,  was  married 
to  Margaret  Augusta  Black. 

Spending  that  winter  in  Allegheny  Seminary  under 
Dr.  J.  T.  Pressly,  he  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery 
June  6th,   1843. 

A  weary  traveler  called  for  lodging  late  Saturday 
night,  July  13th,  1844,  at  Grey  Sulphur  Springs,  ^lonroe 
Co..  West  Va..  The  dining  room  is  converted  into  a 
sanctuary  and  he  faces  his  first  \^irginia  audience.  He 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  Xew  Lebanon,  Mon- 
day. Aug.  4th,  1845.  His  ministry  was  greatly  blessed. 
Eighteen  were  added  on  this  occasion  and  in  IMay  or 
June,  1849.  some  57.  He  was  in  labors  abundant,  in 
reaching  out  to  the  destitute,  in  the  long,  cold  rides 
through  these  valleys,  and  over  these  mountains  to  com- 
fort the  sick,  to  solemnize  marriage,  perform  the  rite 
of  baptism  and  bur\-  the  dead. 

:\lrs.  McLaughlin  toiled  in  the  home  and  assisted  him 
in  the  school-room  :  wrought  in  private  while  he  worked 
in  public  and  cared  for  their  little  children  while  he  was 
concerned  for  those  of  others.  While  living  temporarily 
at  Rockv  Point,  she  died  suddenly,  March  20th,  1855, 
aged  34  years. 

The  care  of  six  motherless  children  and  a  call  to  Back 
Creek,  N.  C,  near  his  own  mother  led  him  to  demit  Leb- 
anon. May  1856.  and  he  was  installed  over  this  new 
charge  Oct.  24.  1856.  Here  began  an  official  ministry  of 
40  years,  a  real  ministry  of  some  47  years.  Tt  had  its 
joys  and  sorrows  as  well  as  its  successes. 

A  second  happy  union  was  formed  with  Miss  Marga- 
ret Wright  McElwee,  of  York  Co..  S.  C.  Six  children 
were  the  fruit  of  this  marriage.  A  scourge  of  fever 
swept  through  his   family.      In  two  months  and  a  haU 


230 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


four  children  and  their  mother,  the  entire  family  of  his 
second  marriage,  all  these  in  rapid  succession  were  called 
to  the  long  home ;  and  yet  this  Job-like  brother,  was  meek 
and  submissive.  Worn  out  with  years  and  constant 
labors,  he  surrendered  a  40  years  official  leadership  Sept. 
22,  1896,  though  continuing  as  stated  supply  till  July  i, 
1899,  when  his  successor  was  installed. 

Father  McLaughlin  is  a  man  of  most  amiable  temper- 
ament, a  peace  maker,  a  treasure  in  the  sick  room,  a 
comforter  to  the  dying,  and  a  benediction  at  funerals. 
He  was  meek  like  his  Master,  went  about  doing  good, 
and  breathed  the  spirit  of  gentleness  and  love. 

He  is  now  rounding  out  an  active  ministry  of  60  years, 
a  record  unparalleled  in  our  Synod,  yea  in  few  Synods. 
A  wise  counsellor,  a  most  agreeable  companion,  a  faith- 
ful pastor,  an  instructive  preacher,  a  model  father,  hus- 
band and  Christian  is  Father  McLaugKlin. 

McMorries,  W.  W. — John  McMorries  and  Dorcas 
Elizabeth  Hawthorne  were  blessed  with  one  son,  Wil- 
liam Washington,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  was 
born  in  Newberry,  S.  C,  on  August  17th,  1859.  He  was 
early  bereft  of  his  father,  the  latter  having  been  killed  in 
the  civil  war.  His  mother  sent  him  to  Due  West  to  be 
educated.  He  attended  the  Due  West  Female  College, 
entered  Erskine  in  due  time  and  gradliated  in  1880. 

He  was  indebted  to  his  grandfather,  Andrew  Haw- 
thorne, and  to  his  uncle.  Rev.  W.  M.  Grier,  D.  D.,  for 
his  education.  In  1882,  he  connected  with  Kings  Creek 
Church  in  Newberry,  and  shortly  after  was  received  as 
a  student  of  Theology  by  Second  Presbytery  at  Troy,  S. 
C.  Was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Kings  Creek  and 
Cannon  Creek  churches,  in  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C,  and  in- 
stalled over  these  churches  in  1884.  This  pastorate  lasted 
for  ten  years.  He  was  suspended  from  the  ministry  in 
1894  because  of  disobedience  to  the  order  of  Presbytery. 
This  order  was  that  he  discontinue  preaching  within  the 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS.  231 

bounds  of  the  Prosperity  congregation,  because  the  peace 
and  harmony  of  that  church  was  disturbed  by  his  con- 
duct. He  gave  up  King's  Creek  church,  but  Cannon 
Creek  still  adheres  to  him,  where  he  continues  to  preach 
at  the  present  writing.  Mr.  McMorries  has  never  mar- 
ried. 

McMullan,  Peter. — Beginning"  life  in  the  second  half 
of  the  18th  century,  in  the  Emerald  Isle,  his  literary  and 
divinity  training  in  Scotland,  he  was  pastor  for  a  time 
of  the  Associate  congregation  of  Ahoghil,  Ireland. 
Reaching  S.  C.  in  1789,  he  was  a  charter  member  of  the 
Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  organized  Feb. 
24th,  1790.  In  the  spring  of  1794,  he  was  installed  pas- 
tor of  Due  West.  S.  C.  "Possessed  of  great  physical 
strength,  stentorian  lungs  and  popular  talents  gener- 
ally, his  settlement  promised  extensive  usefulness.  Dur- 
ing the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  his  energy  and  zeal 
were  instrumental  in  collecting  a  large  and  flourishing 
congregation."  Charges  being  preferred  against  him 
by  his  elders,  his  Presbytery  deposed  him,  r)ct.  13th, 
1801.  The  next  meeting  was  at  Sharon,  York  Co.,  S. 
C,  April  i6th,  1802.  The  only  ministers  present  were 
Revs.  Alexander  Porter  and  William  Dickson.  The  lat- 
ter, with  ruling  elders,  being  in  the  majority,  voted  his 
restoration.  He  subsequently  declined  the  authority  of 
the  Synod,  and.  Rev.  Dickson  joining,  applied  to  the 
Chartiers  Associate  Presbytery. 

I 'n fortunately,  Mr.  McMullan's  habits  nor  influence 
improved  in  the  new  organization,  since  his  Presbytery 
was  obliged  to  suspend  him  in  1806,  and  by  advice  of 
Synod  a  formal  act  of  deposition  was  passed  in  1807. 
Soon  afterwards  he  moved  to  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.  Miss 
Ross,  of  Due  West,  S.  C,  became  his  wife.  One  daugh- 
ter, decidedly  pious,  married  Andrew  Mullins,  and  cared 
for  her  father  in  age  and  infirmity.  He  taught  in  his 
latter  years  and  had  the  honor  of  training  such  pupils  as 


232 


SKETCHES     OE     MINISTERS. 


Col.  Thomas  Benton,  for  thirty  years  U.  S.  Senator  from 
Missouri. 

"Sometimes  at  the  soHcitation  of  the  people,  he  would 
preach,  and  the  old  people  tell  us  he  was  a  powerful  one, 
and  frequently  would  close  bathed  in  tears,  with  the  ob- 
servation, 'Friends,  do  as  I  have  told  you,  and  not  as  I 
have  done.'  " — Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan. 

He  died  in  the  teens  of  the  19th  century  and  lies  buried 
two  miles  northwest  of  Blanche,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.  It 
is  said  of  him  that  he  is  an  example  of  good  parts  and 
excellent  training  lost  for  the  want  of  self  government. 
"Rev.  Peter  McMullan  brings  us  in  sight  of  the  beacon 
lights,  and  while  w^e  would  go  backward  and  spread  a 
mantle,  let  us  not  extinguish  the  lights  God,  in  His  prov- 
idence, has  kept  burning  for  nearly  one  hundred  years 
on  the  path  of  the  church  to  warn  ministers  of  danger 
near." — Dr.  E.  E.  Boyce. 

Meza,  Rev.  Francisco  Mellado. — The  missionary  in 
Tantima  is  the  youngest  son  of  Nestor  Mellado  and  Ja- 
cinta  Meza,  and  was  born  in  Panuco,  State  of  Vera 
Cruz,,  on  the  sixth  of  October,  1870. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  months,  his  mother  died,  and 
when  three  years  old  he  was  left  an  orphan.  He  was 
cared  for  and  raised  by  an  aunt.  In  1884,  when  about 
the  age  of  fourteen  years,  he  was  brought  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  gospel  and  was  one  of  the  first  of  three 
persons  baptized  in  Panuco  by  Dr.  Neill  E.  Pressly.  Rev. 
Zenon  Zaleta  was  soon  after  this  put  in  charge  of  the 
work  in  Panuco,  and  with  the  preacher  he  lived  and  be- 
gan studying  under  him.  He  had  gone  to  school  very 
little.  He  made  a  public  profession  of  his  faith  and  was 
baptized  at  Panuco  in   1885. 

Rev.  Z.  Zaleta  died  in  1888,  and  then  he  began  to  work 
at  the  blacksmith  trade,  keeping  up  his  studies  at  night 
and  when  time  permitted.  His  zeal  for  the  gospel  was 
manifest    from    the    time   he    became    a    member   of    the 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


233 


Church.  After  the  death  of  Rev.  Z.  Zaleta,  he  met  often 
with  the  people  at  the  places  he  had  visited,  and  read  the 
Bible  to  them,  exhorting  them  as  best  he  could  and  also 
he  distributed  tracts  throuj^h  the  ranchos. 

In  1890,  Dr.  Pressly  brought  him  to  Tampico  and  with 
diligence  he  began  to  prosecute  studies  under  his  teach- 
ing with  a  view  to  the  ministry.  His  progress  was  most 
satisfactory,  and  in  1891  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Tampico  Presbytery  and  b\-  this  Presbytery  was  li- 
censed at  El  Mesias  in  Chiconcillo  in  1892.  Work  was 
assigned  him  by  the  Presbytery  at  Tantima,  State  of 
Vera  Cruz,  in  April,  1893,  ^"<^^^  ^^  ^^  X^^  stationed  at  that 
place.  He  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry 
at  Tampico,  State  of  Tamaulipas,  in  1894.  His  work 
has  not  grown  much.  He  is  an  acceptable  preacher,  but 
he  has  a  hard  field. 

He  was  married  to  Srita  Galdina  Botello  on  the  24th 
of  May,  1893.  ^"""l  fo"^  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
— Berta,  Elvira,  Ernesto  and  Napoleon. 


Milieu,  Rev.  John  Rob- 
ert.— Born  Sept.  3,  i860, 
in  the  bounds  of  Union 
congregation,  Chester  Co., 
S.  C,  the  son  of  John  and 
Isabella  McMaster  (Hen- 
ry) Millen.  He  received 
his  college  education  at 
Erskine  College,  which  he 
entered  in  1895.  ^^  grad- 
uated from  Erskine  The- 
ological Seminary  in  1901. 
Was  licensed  by  the  First 
Presbytery,  at  Ebenezer, 
X.    C.    May   7,    1901.   and 

ordained  by  the  same  Presbytery  at  Chester,  S    C.  Jan. 

15,  1902.     He  married  Miss  Lois,  daughter  of  Rev.  John 


T.    R.    MILLEN. 


234 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


H.  Simpson,  at  Hickory  Grove,  S.  C,  Dec.  26,  1901.  She 
was  educated  in  the  Due  West  Female  College.  Synod 
in  1901  appointed  him  to  the  Texas  Presbytery  for  the 
work  at  Hermon,  Okla.  He  began  .  lis  work  there  in  Jan- 
uary, 1902,  and  still  continues  in  the  field. 

Milieu,  William  Hemphill. — Son  of  Robert  and  Nancy 
(Lynn)  Millen,  was  born  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  Nov.  7, 
1852.  He  enjoyed  fairly  good  educational  opportunities 
and  graduated  from  Erskine  College,,  Due  West,  S.  C, 
July  4th,  1876.  He  joined  Union  (Chester  Co.,  S.  C.) 
Associate  Reformed  church  in  August,  1870,  and  was 
received  as  a  student  of  Theology  by  the  First  Presby- 
tery at  King's  Mountain,  N.  C,  in  April  of  1877.  His 
course  in  Theology  was  prosecuted  first  in  Erskine  The- 
ological Seminary,  at  Due  West,  S.  C.„  and  afterwards 
at  Xenia  Seminary,  Ohio.  He  was  licensed  by  the  First 
Presbytery  at  Neely's  Creek  church,  S.  C,  July  30,  1878, 
and  was  ordained  Nov.  21,  1879,  at  Union,  Chester  Co., 
S.  C,  by  the  same  Presbytery. 

He  served  the  Winnsboro  Church,  S.  C,  for  six 
months,  and  for  three  years  he  labored  as  Missionary  in 
the  State  of  Texas.  For  ten  years  he  was  the  pastor  of 
Ebenezer,  Miss.,  and  a  new  church  building,  and  a  well 
organized,  active  and  growing  congregation  are  some 
of  the  external  evidences  of  his  faithful  ministry.  For 
four  years  he  was  pastor  of  Ebenezer  and  Hinkston,  Ky., 
and  seven  years  he  has  acceptably  served  in  his  present 
pastorate  over  Richland  and  Brighton,  the  former  in 
Shelby,  the  latter  in  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn. 

Rev.  Millen  is  possessed  of  splendid  oratorical  powers, 
preaching  without  note,  carefully  prepared  sermons.  He 
is,  moreover,  efficient  in  personal  work,  and  is  a  diligent, 
faithful  pastor.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  Stated 
Clerk  of  the  Memphis  Presbytery  and  is  at  present  the 
vSuperintcndent  of  Missions  of  his  Prcsbvtcrv. 

He  was  married   near  Winnsboro,   S.   C,   \\)V\\    17th, 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS.  235 

1879,  to  Jessie  May  Rabb,  daughter  of  John  G.  Rabb  and 
Nancy  Watt.  She  was  born  near  Winnsboro,  S.  C, 
Mav  ist,  1853.  A  son  and  two  daughters  are  the  chil- 
dren God  has  given  them. 

Millcii,  Stafford  Cnnie,  D.  D.— Was  born  near  Fish- 
ing Creek  church.  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  March  ist,  1812. 
Having  irreproachable,  industrious  and  Christian  pa- 
rents he  was  piously  trained.  In  early  life  the  ministry 
was  his  desired  profession,  and  with  this  purpose  in  view 
his  earlv  education  was  taken  under  Dr.  John  B.  Gaston, 
of  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  and  at  Fairview  Academy,  in 
Greenville    Co.,    S.    C. 

A  journey  to  Xenia,  Ohio,  in  March,  1833,  opened 
to  him  additional  literary  advantages.  In  the  Acad- 
emy here  Mr.  Millen  remained  one  year  and  then  en- 
tered Indiana  University  where  a  complete  course  was 
interrupted  by  ill  health.  One  year  was  spent  teaching 
near  this  Institution  and  returning  South  a  school  was 
opened  January,  1838,  near  the  home  of  Rev.  Warren 
Flcnniken.  Chester  Co.,  S.  C.  This  generous  pastor 
and  wife  boarded  him  free  and  extended  to  him  the 
kindness  of  a  parent  for  a  son  during  this  year,  as  also 
acting  the  part  of  Aquila  and  Priscilla  in  his  divinity 
studies.  After  two  years  in  Erskine  Seminary  the  First 
Presbytery  gave  him  license  April  21,  1840,  and  or- 
dained and  installed  him  pastor  of  Tirzah,  Union  Co.,  N. 
C,  and  Shiloh,  Lancaster  County,  S.  C.  Nov.  17th,  1841. 
These  demitted  Oct.  4,  1845,  he  started  t6  days  after- 
wards to  Kentucky  with  a  bride. 

Returning  July,  1846.  he  began  as  stated  supply  of 
New  Stirling  and  Virgin  Spring,  Iredell  Co.,  N.  C, 
Nov.  I,  1846,  and  was  installed  over  the  former  Nov. 
8th.  1847.  This  was  Dr.  Millen's  great  and  best  work. 
For  twcntv  years  they  had  been  destitute  of  a  fixed 
pastor.  Many  things  had  gone  wrong,  but.  being  a 
kind  and  teachable  people  and  respectful  to  the  minis- 


236  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

ters  of  the  gospel,  by  the  blessing  of  God  upon  warm 
preaching  and  wholesome  discipline  there  was  a  great 
change.  Fifty  years  ahead  on  the  temperance  ques- 
tion, he  threw  the  strength  of  his  strong  character  and 
the  denunciation  of  his  powerful  oratory  against  in- 
temperance  with   marked   success. 

He  spent  years  here  and  his  official  connection  ceased 
Sept.  9th,  1853.  His  next  charge  was  Yorkville  and 
Tirzah,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  installed  Dec.  8th,  1853.  He 
retired  from  this  field  Nov.,  1857,  the  official  resigna- 
tion being  April  20th,  1858,  and  spent  a  year  supply- 
ing the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Clayton,  111. 
The  fall  of  1858  found  him  broken  in  health  and  unable 
to  preach ;  he  opened  a  school  in  Yorkville,  S.  C.  In 
July,  i860,  he  accepted  the  Presidency  of  the  States- 
ville  Female  College,  N.  C,  and  Sept.  4th  following 
severed  his  connection  with  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church. 

He  was  twice  married.  First  to  Miss  Sarah  Ann 
Adline  McQuerns,  Dec.  9th,  1841.  Short  was  her  mar- 
ried life.  The  reaper  came  to  the  young  minister's 
home  Sept.  29th,  1842.  On  Thursday,  Oct.  15,  1845, 
he  was  again  married  to  Miss  Nancy  E.  Henry,  of  York 
Co.,  S.  C,  Rev.  R.  C.  Grier  officiating. 

Dr.  Millen  excelled  in  bold  denunciation  of  wrong  as 
well  as  strong  support  of  truth.  In  fact,  his  earnestness 
and  overwork  broke  down  a  constitution  never  strong. 
He  was  even  braver  and  more  heroic  in  suffering.  He 
called  the  last  three  years  his  "dying  days."  A  Baxter 
in  sufifering,  a  Payson  in  spirituality,  a  saintly  man, 
his  sufiferinos  ceased,  and  he  fell  on  sleep  April  13th, 
1874,  and  godly  Mrs.  Millen,  a  most  excellent  woman, 
departed  this  life  Oct.  i6th,  1890. 

Miller,  John  Gardner. — Son  of  James  Miller  and  Isa- 
bella McCullough,  was  born  June  23,  1823,  in  Fairfield 
Co..  S.  C.     His  educational  opportunities  were  not  good. 


SKETCHES     OE    MINISTERS. 


237 


J.    G.    MILLER. 


His  parents  taught  him 
at  home,  so  that  he  could 
read  distinctly  at  five  years 
jf  age.  He  was  a  pupil  in 
the  common  schools  until 
his  ninth  year,  a  few 
months  each  year.  In  1837 
he  came  to  Tipton  Co., 
Tenn.  From  his  9th  to 
his  22nd  year,  he  went  to 
school  but  two  weeks.  He 
returned  to  S.  C.  in  his 
26th  year,  and  attended 
school  under  Mr.  S.  P. 
Rice,  an  excellent  teacher. 
Preparatory  to  entering  college,  he  prosecuted  study  at 
Concord  Academy,  under  the  tuition  of  Rev.  J-  R-  Gil- 
land,  noted  for  his  efficiency  in  teaching  Latin,  Greek 
and  the  higher  branches  of  mathematics.  He  graduated 
from  Erskine  College  in  1854. 

He  united  with  the  church  at  Salem,  Tipton  Co., 
Tenn.,  about  the  year  1844.  He  was  received  as  a  stu- 
dent of  Theology  in  1853  by  the  Second  Presbytery,  at 
Bethel  Church,  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C,  and  prosecuted  his 
studies  at  Erskine  Seminary,  and  was  licensed  to  preach 
by  the  same  Presbytery  in  1855,  at  Cedar  Springs,  and 
during  that  year  was  also  ordained,  sine  titulo,  by  that 
Presbytery.  His  field  of  labor  was  :\Iicanopy  and  vi- 
cinity. Then  he  labored  a  year  in  Head  Springs,  Pros- 
perity and  Cannon's  Creek,  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C,  and  at 
White  Oak,  Ga.,  and  New  Hope,  Ky.  Then  two  years 
in  Nashville,  Mt.  Olivet  and  Flemingsburg. 

He  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Mt.  Zion,  Mo.,  and 
preached  there  fourteen  years,  but  was  never  installed. 
After  that  he  labored  ten  years  at  Mt.  Paran,  Tipton  Co., 
Tenn. 

He   married    I\Iiss    Martha   Jane   Williams   in    Nash- 


238 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


ville,  Tenn.,  Dec.  29,  1859.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
Elmore  W.  Williams  and  Louise  (Bell)  Williams,  and 
was  born  in  Davidson  Co.,  Tenn.,  Oct.  20,  1836.  She 
was  the  only  child  of  her  mother.  Five  sons  and  five 
daughters  were  born  unto  them.  One  son  is  not.  She 
died   Dec.    12,    1886. 

His  father  was  born  and  reared  in  County  Antrim, 
Ireland.  His  maternal  grandparents  were  born  and  mar- 
ried in  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  but  his  mother  was 
born  in  Fairfield  County,   S.   C. 

Miller,  John,  D.  D.— 
Dr.  John  Miller  was  born 
July  24th,  1825,  in  York 
District,  S.  C. ;  entered 
Erskine  College  in  1840; 
graduated  in  1843,  and 
was  licensed  in  1845; 
preached  in  Virginia  in 
1845,  and  came  on  horse- 
back from  Virginia  to 
Lebanon  Church,  Wilcox 
County,  Alabama,  in  1846, 
and  was  installed  pastor 
the    same    year.      In    1846 

TOHN     MILLER,     D.     D,  .  •     j       .  T\T- 

he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  Pressly,  youngest  daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  Pressly 
and  Elizabeth  Hearst  Pressly.  In  1853  and  1854  he  con- 
ducted a  large  school  at  Society  Hill,  in  Wilcox  County, 
along  with  his  pastoral  duties,  and  in  1855  was  elected 
President  of  Wilcox  Female  Institute,,  at  Camden,  Ala. 
In  1858  he  was  elected  President  of  Erskine  College, 
but  declined  to  accept.  He  was  at  different  times  mod- 
erator of  the  Synod,  twice  delegate  of  his  church  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  was 
member  of  a  committee  of  his  own  church  to  revise  the 
metrical  version  of  the  Psalms.     He  died  June  3rd,  1878, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  239 

pastor  of  his  first  and  only  charge,  at  Oak  Hill,  Wilcox 
Co.,.  Ala.,  over  which  he  was  the  under  shepherd  for 
about  thirty  years.  He  left  a  widow,  since  deceased, 
and  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  viz. :  Hon.  J.  N.  Mil- 
ler and  Hon.  B.  M.  Miller,  Camden,  Ala. ;  Hon.  J.  H. 
Miller,  Birmingham,  Ala. ;  Mr.  James  P.  Miller,  Rose- 
bud, Ala. ;  Mrs.  Barnette  M.  Pogue,  Gadsden,  Ala. ;  Mrs. 
A.  G.  Brice,  Chester,  S.  C. ;  Mrs.  Janie  M.  Dale,  Oak 
Hill,  Ala. ;  and  David  P  Miller,  Camden,  Ala.,  since  de- 
ceased. The  degrees  of  A.  M.  and  D.  D.  were  conferred 
on  Dr.  Miller  by  his  Alma  Mater.  In  1866  he  purchased 
the  Wilcox  Female  Institute,  at  Camden,  Ala.,  and  for 
five  years  made  it  one  of  the  first  institutions  of  learning 
in  South  Alabama.  At  the  end  of  five  years  he  returned 
to  his  people  at  Oak  Hill,  as  pastor. 

During  the  war  he  visited  his  young  men  in  the 
army  at  Port  Hudson,  in  Miss.,  and  preached  for  them 
for  several  months,  and  the  "Wilcox  True  Blues"  pre- 
sented him  with  a  handsome  family  Bible,  which  he 
greatly  prized. 

He  was  a  loyal  and  liberal  friend  of  his  Alma  Mater. 
He  had  l)y  virtue  of  subscription  to  the  ante  bellum  en- 
dowment of  Erskine  College  a  perpetual  scholarship  in 
the  College  and  until  that  endowment  failed  by  the 
disasters  of  the  war,  he  kept  a  worthy  young  man  there 
as  the  beneficiary  of  this  privilege. 

The  foregoing  constitutes  the  outline  of  the  work  and 
achievements  of  Dr.  Miller.  When  he  graduated.  Dr. 
Ebenezer  Pressly,  then  President  of  Erskine,  said,  as 
Dr.  Miller,  a  boy  of  eighteen  years,  took  his  seat  after 
delivering  his  graduating  speech,  'T  expect  to  hear  from 
that  boy."  Dr.  Miller  in  his  youthful  ministry  wrote 
his  sermons  in  blank  verse — he  was  not  only  of  a  phi- 
losophic but  poetic  turn  of  mind.  Hon.  W.  A.  Lee,  of 
Abbeville,  S.  C,  a  classmate  of  Dr.  Miller,  in  writing 
a  sketch  of  the  class  of  1843.  said  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  "He  was  a  poet  and  a  genius,  with  a  mind  singu- 


240 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


larly  acute  and  philosophical,  whose  early  promise  has 
been  amply  verified  in  the  achievements  of  after  life. 
He  came  to  Due  West  in  the  first  flush  of  his  early 
youth  and  bright  with  the  glow  of  health  and  intellect 
and  remained  a  model  student  to  the  close  of  his  Acad- 
emic career.  After  years  of  labor  in  pulpit,  school 
room  and  college,  as  has  been  herein  before  recorded, 
he  spent  the  closing  years  of  his  life  as  Pastor  of  his 
first  and  onl}^  charge,  among  the  scenes  of  his  early  la- 
bors and  in  sweet  accord  with  the  youthful  and  dearest 
associations   of  his   life." 

Dr.  Miller  was  not  only  a  scholar,  but  an  orator.  It  is 
recorded  of  him  that  while  he  taught  in  school  and  col- 
lege, he  never  ceased  to  preach  each  Sabbath,  and  that 
he  was  a  man  of  great  and  recognized  pulpit  powers. 
His  wonderful  research  and  earnestness,  his  resistless 
force  and  amazing  profoundness,  attracted  up  to  his 
death  great  admiration.  "He  loved  the  work  of  Pas- 
tor. He  was  devoted  to  the  cause  of  a  risen  Saviour.'  " 
His  people  not  only  respected  but  loved  him.  He  la- 
bored for  them  a  lifetime,  and  the  church  he  founded  at 
Oak  Hill  stands  as  his  memorial.  It  has  stood  like  a 
rock  in  the  cause  of  right  now  near  a  half  century,  true 
and  loyal,  not  to  Christ  and  his  cause  alone,  but  loyal 
to  the  distinct  features  of  our  denomination.  Dr.  Mil- 
ler was  too  broad  a  man  to  be  sectarian,  but  he  was  too 
true  to  be  disloyal.  It  takes  a  special  form  and  quality 
of  loyalty  and  moral  courage  to  stand  almost  alone  on 
the  frontier  for  the  peculiar  tenets  of  our  faith.  With 
our  ministers  in  the  West,  there  is  no  touch  of  elbows  as 
in  the  East. 

In  the  wall  of  the  church  at  Oak  Hill,  to  the  right  of 
the  pulpit  he  occupied  so  long,  is  a  marble  tablet  with 
the  inscription :  "To  Rev.  John  Miller,  D.  D.  Our 
Pastor  for  30  years.  The  righteous  shall  be  in  ever- 
lasting  remembrance." 

Rev.  A.  J.  Witherspoon,  D.  D.,  himself  then  a  citizen 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


241 


of  Alabama,  in  giving  an  account  of  Dr.  Miller's  visit 
in  1875  to  the  Presbyterian  General  Assembly  at  New 
Orleans,  as  delegate  from  our  church,  said,  "that  Dr. 
Miller  was  one  of  the  foremost  men  in  the  pulpit  of 
Alabama."  When  the  history  of  old  Lebanon  on 
Prairie  Creek,  and  Bethel  Church  at  Oak  Hill,  and  fe- 
male education  in  Wilcox  County,  and  Associate  Re- 
formed Presbyterianism  in  Alabama,  and  the  great 
overshadowing  cause  of  gospel  truth  in  Alabama,  are 
fully  recorded,  the  name  of  Rev.  John  Miller,  D.  D., 
will  be  interwoven  with  them  all. 


Miller,  Robert  Grier,  D. 
D. — Of  the  pious  and 
godly  Thomas  and  Nancy 
Miller,  of  Alexander  Co., 
N.  C,  was  born  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  Sept. 
pth,  1849.  His  brother 
and  guardian.  Col.  J.  S. 
Miller,  put  him  under  Dr. 
S.  C.  Millen  and  later  un- 
der the  tuition  of  Prof 
H.  T.  Burke  and  his  pas- 
tor. Rev.  W.  B.  Pressly. 
He  entered  Erskine  Col- 
lege with  the  highest  of 
mortal  motives,  the  ministry,  graduating  July  12,  1871. 
That  winter  was  spent  in  Allegheny  Seminary,  Pa. 
Oct.  2nd,  1872,  his  life  was  blessed  in  a  happy  matrimo- 
nial union  with  Miss  Roberta  S.,  daughter  of  James  and 
Elizabeth  Emmons,  of  Statesville,  N.  C.  With  Mrs.  Mil- 
ler, he  repaired  to  Erskine  Seminary  and.  finishing  his 
course,  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery,  July  18, 
1873.  The  following  Sabbath  preached  his  first  sermon 
after  licensure  at  New  Stirling,  his  mother  church. 
For  the  next  year  his  time  was  divided  between  the 
16 


R.    G.     MILLER,    D.    D. 


242  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

charge  of  his  pastor  and  New  Hope,  S.  C,  at  which 
place  he  was  ordained  and  installed  Dec.  2nd,  1874.  In 
many  respects  this  was  a  prosperous  pastorate.  The 
liberality  of  the  congregation,  always  generous,  im- 
proved, an  expensive  iron  fence  was  put  around  the 
cemetery  and  a  new  and  handsome  house  of  worship 
was  erected  and  some  sixty  were  added  to  the  roll.  This 
charge  was  demitted  Aug.  31,  1886.  In  the  spring  of 
1887  three  calls  were  presented.  One  from  Coddle 
Creek  and  New  Perth,  one  from  Charlotte,  N.  C,  and  a 
third  from  Sardis,  N.  C.  The  latter  being  accepted,  his 
installation  took  place  May  13th,  1887.  This  brother 
has  borne  a  large  share  of  the  honors  and  responsibili- 
ties of  his  church.  The  Synod  has  given  him  rare 
trusts  and  she  made  no  mistake.  Early  in  the  ministry, 
1884,  called  to  the  moderatorship  of  the  Synod,  he  was 
also  a  delegate  immediately  after  the  sessions  of  Synod 
to  the  Psalm  singine  Conference  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.  He 
lias,  since  1886,  and  is  yet  a  most  efficient  and  punctual 
member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Erskine  College. 
The  Board  of  Home  Missions  was  organized  in  1888. 
He  was  a  charter  member  and  still  proves  himself  faith- 
ful, zealous  and  progressive.  He  served  five  years  as 
Director  of  our  Seminary.  Last  year,  1902,  the  addi- 
tional honor  was  worthily  bestowed  to  bear  the  greet- 
ings of  his  Synod  to  the  General  Assetnbly  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Allegheny,  Pa.  The 
title  of  D.  D.  was  conferred  by  Erskine  College,  1898. 
His  tenacious  and  unyielding  purpose  to  build  a  Dor- 
mitory for  Erskine  College  was  rewarded.  He  led  in 
a  far  reaching  enterprise  which  has  been  duplicated  in 
the  Wylie  Home  and  will  doubtless  fill  that  lovely 
grove  with  more  handsome  memorial  buildings. 

Bro.  Miller  is  a  well  rounded  man.  Cultured,  refined, 
with  a  delicately  poised  sense  of  right,  deeply  sympa- 
thetic, inviting  approach  and  confidence,  yet  when  prin- 
ciple  or   conscience   is    involved,   he   is   an    ecclesiastical 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


243 


"Stonewall."  He  could  shine  in  the  drawing  room  of 
the  cultured  and  sit  on  a  three-legged  chair  in  the  hum- 
blest home  and  make  the  inmates  thereof  feel  easy. 

As  to  pimctuality  on  the  Boards,  it  has  been  well 
nigh  complete.  I'or  30  years  a  member  of  his  Presby- 
tery, and  for  28  years  an  ordained  minister  of  Synod, 
it  is  said  he  has  missed  but  one  meeting  from  each. 
Such  a  record  is  seldom  equalled,  rarely  excelled. 

As  a  presbyter,  he  is  always  watchful,  progressive, 
reaching  out  to  extend  the  Master's  kingdom,  ready 
and  tactful  and  convincing  in  debate. 

As  a  pastor,  he  is  faithful  and  successful,  visiting 
from  house  to  house  setting  an  example  of  an  unsul- 
lied personality  and  a  beautiful  home  life. 

As  a  preacher,  he  is  interesting,  evangelical  and  in- 
structive, with  winsome  manner,  with  a  musical  voice, 
with  deep  earnestness,  the  Master  gave  him  power  in 
the  pulpit. 

But,  best  of  all,  Bro.  Miller  has  been  from  his  youth 
familiar  with  the  shut  closet.  Having  wrestled  in 
prayer,  he  is  a  prince  possessing  power  with  God  and 
man. 

Mills.  James  Spencer. — 
The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  at  Blackstock, 
S.  C,  September  10,  1848. 
His  parents  were  James 
Young  Mills  and  Sarah 
Isabella  Nelson.  To  Rev. 
Robt.  Lathan  he  was  in- 
debted for  his  early  edu- 
cation. Three  of  his  sis- 
ters were  educated  at  the 
Yorkville  Female  College, 
and  to  them  also  was  due 
much  of  his  early  mental 
J.   s.    MILLS.  training.     As  a  boy  of  six- 


244  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

teen,  he  enlisted  as  a  Confederate  soldier,  and  joined 
the  State  troops.  He  belonged  to  Hardee's  Corps,  and 
surrendered  with  Johnston's  army. 

After  his  brief  soldier  career,  he  worked  on  the  farm 
for  a  year  or  more,  and  then  began  preparation  for 
college  under  Prof.  W.  B.  Thompson.  He  entered  the 
Sophomore  class  in  Erskine  College  in  1868,  and  grad-- 
uated  in  1871.  Under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  R.  W. 
Brice  he  became  a  member  of  the  church  early  in  life, 
and  turned  his  thoughts  to  the  ministry.  He  connected 
with  the  First  Presbytery  at  a  call  meeting  at  Long 
Cane,  S.  C,  in  the  fall  of  1871,  entered  the  Seminary 
at  Due  West,  completing  his  course  in  1873.  In  the 
same  year  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  First  Presbytery 
at  Ebenezer,  N.  C,  July  i8th,  his  pastor.  Rev.  R.  W. 
Brice,  propounding  the  c|uestions.  For  several  years  he 
preached  in  vacancies  in  First  Presbytery,  and  was  or- 
dained at  New  Hope  in  1876.  His  most  important 
work  was  done  in  the  old  Tirzah  congregation  of  Lan- 
caster, S.  C.  He  was  able,  along  with  others,  to  keep 
about  one-third  of  this  church  in  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Communion,  the  larger  part  going  into  the 
Southern  Presbyterian  Church  with  Rev.  D.  P.  Robin- 
son, their  pastor.  The  minority  that  remained  true  to 
the  principles  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church  were 
organized  into  the  new  church  of  Unity.  In  1876,  Mr. 
Mills  did  some  mission  work  in  New  Salem,  Tennessee. 
But  the  people  at  this  point  became  divided  by  politics. 

The  Plymouth  brethren  also  did  proselyting  among 
the  members  of  this  church,  and  between  the  excitement 
of  politics  in  the  Tilden  and  Hayes  campaign  and  the 
disintegrating  doctrines  of  the  new  sect,  the  church 
went  to  pieces.  After  this  Bro.  Mills  supplied  the 
churches  of  New  Hope  and  Ebenezer,  Ky.,  also  Mt. 
Zion,  Mo.  Broken  in  health  by  the  severe  climate  of 
Kentucky  and  Missouri,  he  was  unable  to  preach  for  a 
year  or  more.     In  October,  1883,  he  went  to  Starkville, 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


245 


Miss.,  and  from  there  to  Louisville,  Ga.,  in  Xovember, 
1884.  Here  he  settled  over  the  united  charges  of  Bethel 
and  Louisville,  and  was  installed  by  Dr.  Phillips  in  1885. 
He  still  serves  these  churches,  preaching  better,  his  peo- 
ple say,  as  he  grows  older.  Bro.  Mills  has  been  twice 
married,  first  to  Miss  Alice  A.  McMillan,  of  Knox 
Co.,  Tennessee.  Four  children  were  the  fruits  of  this 
marriage ;  three  survive,  two  daughters  and  a  son.  His 
first  wife  died  August  31st,   1882. 

His  second  marriage  was  to  Miss  Alberta  Helen  Little, 
on  April  28th.  1885,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children. 


^^*^^ 


^^fm 


^  *r- 


Mills.  Robert  ]'oiiiig. — ■ 
Rev.  R.  Y.  Mills  was  the 
son  of  Edward  IMcDaniel 
Mills  and  Martha  E.  Boyd, 
and  was  born  near  Black- 
stock,  S.  C,  ]\me  20th, 
1861. 

Even  from  childhood 
he  said  he  A\as  going  to 
have  an  education  and 
preach  the  gospel,  and  his 
wish  was  fulfilled,  for  he 
entered  Erskine  College 
Oct.,    i88q,  and  graduated 

K.     V.     MILLS.  .  00 

ni  1883. 
He  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology  by  the 
Second  Presbytery  at  Long  Cane,  S.  C,  in  the  fall  of 
1883,  and  prosecuted  his  studies  at  Erskine  Seminary 
at  Due  West,  and  at  Lane  Seminary,  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
and  was  licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  April  nth, 
1885,  at  Doraville,  Ga.  He  was  sent  to  the  Kentucky 
Presbytery  in  1885,  and  was  ordained  by  that  Presby- 
tery, and  supplied  churches  in  its  bounds  until  April. 
1888.  During  the  summer  of  1888  he  supplied  Lancas- 
ter  and    Gills   Creek   churches   in    S.    C,   except   during 


M 


246 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


August  and  a  part  of  September,  when  he  was  en- 
gaged  in   evangehstic   work   in   West   Tennessee. 

He  was  installed  pastor  of  Lancaster  and  Gill's  Creek 
in  Nov.,  1888,  and  continued  there  until  his  death, 
March  4th,  1889.  He  had  expected  to  offer  himself 
to  the  Board  as  a  Foreign  Missionary  in  the  fall  of 
1889,  but  death  cut  short  this  as  well  as  many  other 
bright  prospects.  He  was  a  preacher  of  force  and 
power,  and  the  people  heard  him  gladly. 

Mr.  Mills  was  married  Sept.  20th,  1888,  near  Coving- 
ton, Ga.,  to  Miss  Mary  Lois  Martin,  the  daughter  of 
Rev.  John  E.  Martin  and  Margaret  Isabella  Grier.  She 
was  born  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  July  3rd,  1868.  Several 
vears  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Mills,  she  was  married  to 
Rev.  T.  G.  Bovce,  of  Atoka,  Tenn. 


Moffatt,  James  Strong. 
— Rev.  J.  S.  Moffatt  is  the 
son  of  Rev.  William  S. 
Moffatt  and  Martha  Jane 
Wilson,  and  was  born  at 
Wheeling,  Fulton  Co., 
Ark..  July  17th,  i860. 

He  gained  the  rudiments 
of  an  education  from  his 
mother,  and  afterwards 
attended  schools  in  Union- 
town.  Ohio,  at  Xenia  and 
St.  Clairsville,  in  the  same 
State.  He  spent  two  years 
in  Erskine  College,  and 
two  years  at  ^Muskingum  College,  New  Concord,  Ohio, 
graduating  at  Muskingum  in  1883.  He  was  received  as 
a  student  of  theology  in  the  autumn  of  1884,  by  the 
Western  Missouri  ['resb\tery  of  the  \J.  P.  Church,  at 
Mulberry,  Mo.  lie  graduated  from  the  Allegheny  U.  P. 
Seminarv.  after  taking  the  three  years'  course.     In  the 


J.    S.    MOFFATT,    D.    D. 


SKETCHES    OE    MINISTERS. 


247 


spring  of  1885.  he  was  licensed  by  the  Western  Missouri 
Presbytery  at  Greenwood,   Mo. 

In  April,  1886,  he  connected  with  the  First  Presby- 
tery of  the  A.  R.  P.  Synod,  and  had  charge  of  the  mis- 
sion at  Charlotte,  X.  C,  for  one  year,  and  was  ordained 
at  Charlotte,  X.  C,  in  July,  1886.  In  the  spring  of  1887 
he  was  called  to  the  church  at  Chester,  S.  C,  and  was 
installed  in  the  summer  of  the  same  year.  Under  his 
pastorate  at  this  place,  the  work  has  greatly  prospered. 
The  congregation  has  built  an  elegant  new  church,  and 
many  wait  on  his  ministry. 

Mr.  Moffatt  w^as  married  at  Due  \\>st,  S.  C,  Xov. 
23rd,  1886,  to  Miss  Jennie  Moffatt  Grier,  the  daughter 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  M.  Grier  and  X'annie  McMorries. 
She  was  born  at  X'^ewberry,  S.  C  Sept.  2nd,  1865,  and 
is  the  mother  of  six  children. 

]\Ir.  ^^loffatt's  father  and  his  mother's  father  and 
grandfather  were  ministers  in  the  A.  R.  P.  Church. 
Mrs.  Moffatt's  father,  grandfather,  great  grandfather, 
and  great,  great  grandfather  were  also  ministers  in  the 
A.  R.  P.  Church. 

Moffatt,  Josiali  HcinpJull. — Rev.  Josiah  Hemphill 
Moft'att  was  the  son  of  William  Moffatt  and  Margaret 
Hemphill  and  was  born  at  Lewisville,  in  Chester  Co., 
S.  C.  :^Iay   1st,   1836. 

His  father  was  a  prosperous  merchant,  and  a  leading 
member  of  Union  congregation,  and  his  mother  was  a 
daughter  of  Rev.  John  Hemphill,  D.  D. 

His  earlv  opportunities,  both  in  a  social  and  edu- 
cational way.  were  of  the  best,  and  he  developed  into 
a  godly  and  pious  young  man.  He  graduated  at  Er- 
skine  College,  in  1859,  and  even  in  his  college  days  he 
manifested  that  pious  and  generous  spirit  which  ever 
characterized  him.  Everything  that  seemed  to  contrib- 
ute to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  spread  of  the  gospel 
was  met  with  an  o]icn  purse. 


248 


SKETCHES    OE    MINISTERS. 


He  helped  a  number  of  poor  young  men  through 
college  and  onl}-  the  giver  and  receiver  knew  about  it. 
In  addition  to  these  private  benefactions,  he  contributed 
the  larger  part  of  the  money  that  was  used  in  building 
the  beautiful  Hall  of  the  Euphemian  Literary  Society, 
on  the  campus  of  Erskine  College. 

After  graduating  at  Erskine,  he  entered  the  Semin- 
ary at  Due  West,  S.  C,  completed  the  course,  and  was 
licensed  to  preach.  After  preaching  for  a  while  to 
some  churches  in  York  Co.,  S.  C,  his  health,  which 
had  become  impaired  in  College,  gave  way,  and  he  re- 
tired to  the  home  of  his  mother,  where  he  died  March 
1 8th,    1867. 

Mr.  Moffatt  was  married  Oct.  i8th,  1864,  to  Miss 
Jane  Elizabeth  Lathrop,  who  was  born  in  New  York 
State  in  1837.  She  bore  him  two  children,  one  of  whom 
died  in  childhood,  and  the  other  is  Rev.  Josiah  Mof- 
fatt, who  lives  in  Florida. 

Mrs.  IMofifatt  was  a  godly  woman,  of  very  strong 
character,  and  was  a  tower  of  strength  in  Union  con- 
gregation. She  afterwards  contracted  a  second  mar- 
riage to  Mr.  G.  G.  Nisbet  in  1882,  and  died  Feb.  27th, 
1902. 

Moffatt.  Rev.  JVillioin 
Samuel. — Son  of  James  S. 
and  Martha  Moffatt,  was 
born  in  Greenville  Co.,S.C. 
liight  years  later  his  father 
settled  in  Obion  Co.,  Tenn. 
He  received  his  college 
education  at  Erskine  Col- 
lege, graduating  in  1854. 
He  studied  theology  in  the 
Seminary  at  Due  West.  S. 
C,  and  spent  one  year  in 
the  Seminary  in  Alle- 
uhcnv.   Pa.     He  was  mar- 


VV.     S.     MOFFATT. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  249 

ried  to  !Miss  Martha,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  and  Mrs. 
EHza  (Hemphill)  ^^'ilson.  at  Salem,  Tipton  Co..  Tenn., 
April  17,  1856.  The  Memphis  Presbytery  licensed  him, 
April  2^.  1857,  and  ordained  him  April  2^,  1859. 

He  labored  in  Tennessee  and  Arkansas  under  direc- 
tion of  the  Memphis  Presbytery  August  12,  1859.  He 
organized  Prosperity  Church,  in  Fulton  Co.,  Ark.,  and 
became  its  pastor  the  following  December.  This  rela- 
tion continued  until  May  4.  1868.  During  the  Civil 
\\'ar  he  endured  many  hardships,  and  was  often  exposed 
to  dangers.  His  neighborhood  was  overrun  by  both 
armies.  Being  newly  settled,  the  country  afforded  few 
comforts  at  best.  The  armies  added  to  the  hardships 
of  the  people  by  taking  their  horses,  mules  and  provi- 
sions, ^lore  than  once  his  house  was  ransacked,  and 
his  life  was  in  danger  from  jayhawkers  and  bushwack- 
ers.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  moved  to  west  Tennes- 
see, where  he  supplied  vacancies  until  1867,  when  he 
returned  to  Arkansas.  In  1868  he  became  S.  S.  of  the 
congregations  of  Uniontown  and  ]\IcMahon's  Creelv. 
Ohio.  He  was  installed  their  pastor  April  19,  1869. 
He  demitted  the  Uniontown  branch  of  his  charge  in 
1881,  and  McMahon's  Creek  in  1883.  At  first  he  found 
many  difficulties  to  be  overcome  in  this  field.  Sharp 
division  of  political  sentiment  had  caused  partisan  feel- 
ings to  run  high,  and  an}'  man  from  the  South  was 
regarded  with  suspicion.  His  first  effort  was  to  over- 
come this  bitterness  and  distrust. 

The  gentleness  and  kindliness  of  his  manner  greatly 
assisted  him.  He  soon  won  the  confidence  and  friend- 
ship of  the  people,  and  his  influence  for  peace  and  har- 
mony became  a  power  in  the  community.  With  the  A. 
R.  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  he  went  into  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  in  1881.  He  became  pastor  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Centerview,  Mo.,  in 
1883.  He  demitted  this  charge  in  1888.  Here  his 
wife    died    August     13.    1887.      In    1888.    he    returned 


250  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

to  Arkansas  and  took  up  the  work  again  as  S.  S. 
of  Prosperity  and  New  Hope.  This  work  he 
kept  up  until  1891,  and,  at  Prosperity  as  health  per- 
mitted, until  1895.  In  June,  1888,  he  married  Mrs.  J. 
E.  (Paden)  Livingston  of  Wheeling,  Ark.  He  died  at 
Wheeling,  Ark.,  Jan.  18,  1899.  His  first  wife  became 
the  mother  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  Of  the 
sons  James  S.  became  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  and 
settled  as  pastor  of  the  Church  in  Chester,  S.  C.  John 
became  a  physician  in  Ohio,  and  Walter  A.  entered  the 
legal  profession  in  Leger,  Okla.  Of  the  daughters, 
Mary  became  the  wife  of  Rev.  J.  T.  Curry  of  the 
Nashville  Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church  South,  and 
died  in  April,  1902,  and  Miss  Anna  a  professor  in 
Stuttgart  College,  Ark. 

Moffatt,  Josiah  Henry.— Rev.  J.  H.  Moffatt  is  the 
son  of  Rev.  Josiah  Hemphill  Moffatt  and  Jane  Elizabeth 
Lathrop,  and  was  born  at  Lewisville,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C, 
April  1st,  1867.  He  graduated  at  Erskine  College,  in 
1887,  and  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the 
First  Presbytery,  in  the  spring  of  1890. 

His  theological  course  was  taken  at  Erskine  Seminar) 
and  he  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery  at  Union 
Church  in  April,  1891.  After  preaching  for  some  time 
m  the  Virginia  and  the  Kentucky  Presbyteries,  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  New  Lebanon,  West  Virginia,  and 
was  installed  in  the  spring  of  1893.  In  September, 
1895,  owing  to  the  fact  that  his  views  on  some  matters 
of  religious  doctrine  were  not  in  harmony  with  the 
standards  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church,  he  resigned  the  charge 
of  New  Lebanon,  and  withdrew  from  the  Presbytery, 
and  has  lived  since  then  in  the  State  of  Florida.  Mr. 
Moffatt  has  always  been  esteemed  for  his  U]:)righl  char- 
acter, and  zeal  for  the  cause  of  Christ. 

He  was  married  Oct.  5th,  1887,  at  White  Oak,  S.  C, 
to   Miss   Marv   E.   Price,   the   daughter   of   Mr.   W.   W. 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


251 


Brice  and  Hattie  \inson.  She  was  born  at  White  Oak, 
S.  C.  Oct.  9th,  1869.  She  and  Mr.  Mofifatt  have  seven 
children. 


MOXTGOMF.KV. 


Moiitgoniery,  A)idrezv 
S  pence. — Son  of  Robert 
and  Esther  Spence  Mont- 
gomery, was  born  at  New- 
berry, S.  C,  June  16,  1822. 
When  he  was  seven  years 
of  age,  the  family  emi- 
grated to  Marshall  Co., 
Tenn.  He  obtained  the 
most  of  his  literary  edu- 
cation at  \'iney  Grove 
Academy,  in  Lincoln  Co., 
Tenn..  under  Dr.  Henry 
Bryson.  and  under  him  he 
began  the  study  of  Theol- 
ogy, in  1852,  and  was  taken  under  the  care  of  the  Ten- 
nessee Presbytery. 

He  entered  the  Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C.  in  the 
fall  of  1853,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Ten- 
nessee Presbytery  at  Bethel  A.  R.  P.  Church,  and  was 
ordained  at  Head  Springs  by  the  same  Presbytery.  He 
preached  for  six  months  in  Franklin  Co.,  Ala.,  and  for 
two  years  in  Decatur  Co..  Ind.  His  first  pastorate  was 
at  Head  Springs  Church,  Marshall  Co.,  Tenn.,  the 
church  which  he  joined  when  sixteen  years  of  age  and 
of  which  nearly  all  his  kindred  were  members.  He  re- 
signed the  pastorate  of  this  church  during  the  war  and 
moved  North.  He  accepted  a  call  to  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  West  Union,  Til.,  in  1864.  He 
serv^ed  this  congregation  for  twenty  years,  during  \vhich 
time  his  influence  was  felt  upon  the  entire  community. 
He  started  an  academy  at  Enfield,  Ills.,  which  grew 
into  a  college.      For  eight  years  he  served  the  congre- 


252 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


gations  of  Summerville  and  Eden,  Ind.  His  last  pas- 
torate was  Springfield,  Ills.,  from   1890  to   1894. 

He    was   married    March   28,   at    Viney    Grove, 

Tenn.,  to  Lavina  Grace  Tate,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Mary  Boyd  Tate.  She  was  born  at  Chester,  S.  C., 
Oct.  6,  1 82 1.  Five  children  were  born  to  her.  She 
died  at  West  Union,  Ills.,  March  3,  1874.  He  was 
married  a  second  time  to  Mary  Malissa  Taylor,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  and  Catherine  Sloan  Taylor,  at  Fayette- 
ville,  Tenn.  She  was  born  Feb.  28,  1832,  in  Lincoln 
Co.,  Tenn.  His  eldest  son,  S.  Alonzo  Montgomery, 
after  graduating  from  the  Indiana  State  University  at 
Bloomington,  Ind.,  became  a  professor  in  Institution. 
His  youngest  son,  J.  Knox  Montgomery,  is  now  the 
pastor  of  the  First  A.  R.   P.  Church,  Charlotte,  N.  C. 

Mr.  Montgomery  was  a  strong  and  original  thinker, 
an  earnest  and  effective  preacher,  and  a  most  wise  and 
judicious  pastor.  He  was  remarkable  as  a  peace-maker 
and  was  often  called  upon  to  visit  different  congrega- 
tions in  this  capacit)^.  He  always  preached  without 
notes  and  kept  fully  in  touch  with  the  age.  His  heart 
never  grew  old  and  he  had  a  great  influence  over  young 
men.  Many  are  in  the  ministry  to-day  because  of  his 
influence  over  their  lives  and  thoughts.  Through  the 
larger  part  of  his  ministry  was  spent  in  the  U.  P. 
Church  he  never  forgot  his  first  love,  and  often  referred 
to  the  fact  that  the  first  forty  dollars  he  ever  made  as 
a  minister  he  gave  to  Erskine  College. 

He  entered  into  rest  June  20,  1900,  being  78  years 
and  one  week  old.  He  sleeps  in  the  church  yard  at 
West  Union,  Ills.,  hard  by  the  church  in  which  he  did 
his  greatest  work. 

Mont  (joinery,  John  Knox. — Rev.  J.  Knox  Montgom- 
ery was  born  in  Belfast.  Tenn.,  Aug.  4th,  1861,  and  is 
the  son  of  Rev.  A.  S.  Montgomery  and  Lavinia  Grace 
Tate.     When  about  a  vear  old.  the  familv  moved  north 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


253 


MONTCO.MERV. 


and  he   was   reared  in  the 
State  of  lUinois.  He  grad- 
uated at  the  In(Hana  State 
University  in  1884,  and  in 
September     of     the     same 
year    was     received    as    a 
student     of     theology     by 
the    Princeton    Presbytery, 
of  the  L'nited  Presbyterian 
Church,     at      Summerville, 
ind.,    pursued    his    studies 
at  Xenia  Theological  Sem- 
niary,     Xenia,     Ohio,    and 
was  licensed  by   Princeton 
Presbytery,      at      Portland 
Mills.'  Ind,,  April,   1886. 
In    April,     1887,    he    was    ordained    by     Chillecothe 
Prcsbvtcry,   and   installed   over   Unity,   Ohio,   where   he 
remained  until   December,    1889.      From  January,    1890, 
until  October,   1895,  he  was  pastor  at  Sparta,  Ills.,  go- 
ing from  there  to  the  First  Church  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Resigning  this  Church  on  account  of  ill  health  in   1899 
he    came    South,    and    was    stated    supply    at    the    East 
Avenue  A.  R.  P.  Church,  Charlotte,  N.  C,  from  July, 
1900,  to  July,    1901.     In   September,    1901.  he  accepted 
a   call   to   the   Garfield   Boulevard   United    Presbyterian 
Church,  Chicago,  Ills.,  and  continued  pastor  there  until 
July,  1902.     Having  received  a  call  to  the  First  A.  R. 
P.   Church  at  Charlotte,   N.   C,  and   not  being  able  to 
stand    the    vigorous    climate    of    Chicago,    he    connected 
with  the  First  Presbytery  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Synod  of  the 
South,  and  took  up  the  work  in  Charlotte  in  August, 
1902,  and  still  continues  pastor  there.     Mr.  Montgom- 
ery  was  married  at  Unity,   Ohio,   Dec.   25th,    1888,   to 
Miss   Emma   Letta   Patton,   the   daughter   of   Nathaniel 
C.  and  Mary  A.  Patton. 

Mrs.   Montgomery   was  bom   at   Harshadville,   Ohio, 


254 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


Jan.  31st,  1862,  and  is  the  mother  of  five  children. 
Mr.  Montgomery  has  published  a  number  of  sermons 
and  tracts,  and  has  written  a  great  deal  for  the  press. 
Since  1899  h^  has  edited  the  prayer  meeting  page  ui 
the  "CJiristian  Union  Herald,"  and  for  nine  years  has 
published  the  "Evangel,"  a  congregational  paper.  He 
is  a  very  popular  speaker,  and  has  often  been  called  to 
address  Presbyterial  and  national  young  people's  con- 
ventions. He  has  also  been  a  popular  lecturer  on  Chau- 
tauqua platforms,  and  under  the  Inter-State  Lecture 
Bureau.  The  Synod  of  Ohio  in  1896  and  the  Synod  of 
Illinois  in  1900,  elected  him  Synodical  Evangelist,  but 
he  felt  compelled  to  decline  the  position  both  times. 

In  the  year  1900,  while  resting  because  of  ill  health, 
he  ran  for  Secretary  of  State  on  the  Prohibition  ticket 
in  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  more  than  doubled  the  vote 
of  the  party  in  that  State. 

Moore,  James  Nathaniel. — A  son  of  James  Moore  and 
Jane  H.  Craig,  was  born  in  1821,,  in  Dallas  Co.,  Ala. 

His  educational  opportunities  were  fairly  good  and  he 
graduated  at  Erskine  College  in  1846.  About  the  year 
1838  he  joined  the  Prosperity  Ala.,  A.  R.  Church.  Re- 
ceived as  a  student  of  theology  about  1847  ^y  the 
Second  Presbytery  in  South  Carolina,  he  studied  at 
Erskine  Theological  Seminary  and  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Second  Presbytery  about  1849.  His 
health  having  failed  he  preached  only  occasionally  for 
a  year  or  two,  spending  a  year  teaching  school.  After 
regaining  in  measure  his  health,  he  labored  in  Alabama 
and  was  instrumental  in  organizing  a  church  at  Sum- 
merfield,  Ala.,  and  erecting  a  neat  church  building.  Also 
a  church  in  Perry  Co.,  known  as  Farrer's  Church,  and 
another  named  Fairview,  above  Marion,  Ala.  During 
this  time  he  made  several  visits  to  Salem  in  Covington 
Co.,  Ala.,  preaching  sometimes  a  month  or  more.  In 
1854  he  visited  churches  in   Mississippi,  Temiessee  and 


SKETCHES    OE    MINISTERS. 


■b:) 


Kentucky.  In  1855  he  was  called  to  Monticello,  Ark., 
and  left  Alabama  the  latter  part  of  July  for  that  place. 
Arriving  at  Memphis,  he  went  by  boat  to  Gaines'  Land- 
ing on  the  Mississippi  River.  Being  detained  at  this 
place  he  was  there  taken  sick.  Reaching  Monticello  he 
died  in  a  few  davs,  never  having  preached  at  that  place. 
He  was  never  married. 


H.      L.      MLKI'HV. 


Murphy,  Henry  Lcland. 
Was  a  son  of  William 
Murph}-  and  Sarah  Lang- 
ston,  and  was  born  in 
Due  West,  S.  C,  Septem- 
ber 9.  1823.  When  a  child, 
his  father  removed  to 
Laurense  Co.,  Ala.,  and 
thence  to  Lincoln  Co., 
fenn.,  and  later  to  Tipton 
Co.,  Tenn.,  his  boyhood 
being  spent  on  the  farm 
in  the  latter  two  counties. 
His  chances  of  an  educa- 
tion during  this  period  of 
his  life  were  meagre,  but  when  about  18  years  old  he 
manifested  a  desire  for  a  college  course,  he  was  encour- 
aged by  his  father,  and  along  with  several  other  young 
men  began  the  study  of  the  classics  under  Rev.  John 
A\'ilson.  The  sudden  death  of  his  father  stopped  this, 
but  he  did  not  abandon  his  purpose  Two  kind  maiden 
aunts  in  South  Carolina  offered  him  a  home  and  the 
means  of  going  through  college.  He  took  a  first  stand 
in  his  class  and  graduated  with  distinction,  in  1847,  from 
Erskine  College.  Soon  after  he  entered  the  Theological 
Seminary  .at  Due  West. 

He  was  licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  at  Head 
Springs,  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C,  and  "was  installed  over 
Kings   Creek   and   Thompson    Street,   Newberry   Co.,   S. 


256  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

C,  where  he  was  preaching-  when  the  war  broke  out." 
About  two  years  he  labored  as  a  missionary,  partly  in 
the  West.  During  this  time  he  served  as  college  agent, 
collecting  funds  to  build  Lindsay  Hall.  On  the  9th  of 
September,  185 1,  he  was  happily  married  near  Green- 
wood, S.  C,  to  Miss  Martha  Ann  Hearst,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Margaret  Hearst,  and  born  near  Green- 
wood, S.  C.,  July  30,  1833.  Five  sons  and  six  daughters 
were  the  fruit  of  this  union.  She  died  near  old  Bloom- 
ington,  Tenn.,  March  14,  1903.  For  a  year  or  more 
after  his  marriage  Mr.  Murphy  taught  school  in  Tipton, 
and  also  in  Shelby  Counties,  Tenn.,  and  did  acceptable 
and  successful  work.  After  the  war  between  the  States 
he  accepted  a  call  to  Bloomington  and  Richland 
churches,  and  continued  as  pastor  of  the  latter  for  three 
years  and  of  the  former  until  his  death.  He  died 
Sabbath  morning,  November  24,  1878,  in  Tipton  Co., 
Tenn.,  being  a  little  more  than  55  years  of  age. 

He  was  a  ripe  scholar,  refined  in  taste,  a  forcible, 
attractive  and  impressive  speaker.  He  was  several 
times  appointed  by  Synod  a  travelling  agent  of  Ers- 
kine  College.  He  was  a  very  devoted  husband,  a  kind 
father,  and  a  pleasant,  sociable  companion  in  all  the 
relations  of  life. 

He  joined  Salem  A.  R.  P.  Church  in  April,  1841, 
under  the  ministry   of  the   Rev.   John   Wilson. 

Morris,  Samuel  Taplin. — Was  a  son  of  •  Samuel  and 
Margaret  McCollough  Morris,  and  was  born  in  bounds 
of  Cedar  Springs,  S.  C,  April  14.  182 1.  He  had  good 
educational  advantages,  studying  both  at  Due  West,  S. 
C,  and  Oxford,  Ohio.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  latter 
institution,  but  it  is  not  known  whether  in  letters  or  in 
Theology.  His  father  was  an  elder  in  Cedar  Springs,, 
noted  as  a  peace  maker,  and  died  at  45  years  old.  His 
mother,  a  friend  to  the  orphan  and  helpless,  died  at  90. 

Rev.  Morris  studied  under  Rev.  John  S.  Pressly.     He 


SKETCHES    OE    MINISTERS.  257 

was  a  preacher  and  teacher,  but  his  short  hfe  prevented 
his  being-  much  known.  He  died  when  only  27  years 
old.  He  was  married  in  1848,  in  Montgomery,  Ala., 
to  a  daughter  of  Judge  Graham  of  that  city.  He  lived 
only  6  weeks  after  his  marriage. 
He  died  Sept.   16,   1848. 

McNeal^  John. — He  was  received  as  a  student  of  The- 
ology by  the  Kentucky  Presbytery  at  a  meeting  held  in 
Shelby  County,  Aug.  19,  1843.  ^^  ^^'^s  directed  to  at- 
tend Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  but  it  does  not  ap- 
pear that  he  did  so.  He  seems  to  have  studied  under  the 
direction  of  Rev.  N.  M.  Gordon.  His  college  education 
was  secured  in  the  Indiana  University.  He  was  licensed 
Oct.  15th,  1844,  and  labored  for  a  short  time  in  Tennes- 
see and  Kentucky.  May  30,  1845,  certificate  was  given 
him,  at  his  own  request,  to  join  the  A.  R.  Presbytery 
of  Indiana. 

Muse,  Rev.  Joseph  Braiiierd. — The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  born  near  Starkville,  Aliss.,  July  loth,  1848. 
His  parents  were  Robert  Muse  and  Jane  McKell.  His 
early  educational  advantages  were  good  and  in  due  time 
he  entered  Erskine  College  and  graduated  in  class  of 
1870. 

He  entered  Erskine  Seminary,  joining  the  Second 
Presbytery  at  a  meeting  at  Due  West,  in  the  spring  of 
1871.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  at  Cannon 
Creek,  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C,  September  7th,  1872. 

His  first  labors  were  in  Alabama.  He  was  then  as- 
signed to  Tennessee  to  the  churches  of  Blanche  and 
Prosperity,  and  on  Friday  before  the  first  Sabbath  of 
November,  1874,  was  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor 
over  these  churches  by  the  Tennessee  Presbytery.  Here 
he  labored  faithfully  for  about  eight  years,  when  he  re- 
signed his  charge — in  1882.  Since  that  time  he  has 
lived  at  \^erdery,  S.  C,  in  the  bounds  of  the  Second 
17 


258  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

Presbytery  and  has  preached  as  opportunity  offered, 
though  largely  devoting  his  time  to  farming  for  a 
livelihood. 

On  September  25th,  1872,  Mr.  Muse  was  married  to 
Miss  Nina  Estelle  Devlin,  daughter  of  James  J.  and 
Mary  A.  Devlin  of  Cedar  Springs,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C. 
The  result  of  this  union  has  been  eight  children,  none 
have  been  lost  by  death. 

Mfisliaf,  John. — A  native  of  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y., 
was  graduaetd  at  Union  College,  Schenectady,  1807.  His 
full  course  of  divinity  was  taken  under  Dr.  John  Ander- 
son,, in  the  Associate  Seminary,  Service,  Pa.,  and  the 
Cambridge  granted  him  license  Sept  20th,  1809.  His 
services  being  much  in  demand,  calls  were  made  out, 
not  only  in  his  Presbytery,  but  from  Shiloh,  Neely's 
Creek  and  Big  Spring,  S.  C,  and  from  New  Stirling, 
Cambridge  and  \'irgin  Springs,  N.  C.  Ordained  by  the 
Cambridge  Presbytery  Sept.  i8th,  i8ri,  he  soon  after 
became  pastor  of  the  latter  group  of  churches.  His  zeal 
and  eloquence  early  promised  great  usefulness. 

His  home  was  some  three  miles  northwest  of  States- 
ville,  in  which  town  he  conducted  for  a  number  of  years 
a  very  successful  High  School.  "John  Mushat  was 
famed  in  his  day  as  an  educator  of  youth."  Chief 
Justice  R.  M.  Pearson,  Gov.  W.  A.  Graham,  and  Dr. 
John  Moore  Harris,  father  of  Mrs.  Rev.  W.  B.  Pressly, 
were  among  his  many  pupils,  often  reaching  120.  In 
October,  1822,  finding  it  impracticable  from  his  local 
situation  to  discharge  the  duties  of  pastor,  he  demitted 
this  charge  but  continued  to  supply  them  till  January, 
1825,  when  on  account  of  indisposition  suspended  the 
exercise  of  his  ministry. 

About  1827  his  Presbytery  began  dealing  with  him 
for  various  violations  of  ministerial  vows.  In  March, 
1830,  he  was  suspended  and  in  the  following  October 
deposed   "because    ( i )    of  his  connection   with  the   Ma- 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  259 

sonic  Society,  (2)  of  contempt  of  the  judicatories  of 
the  Church,  (3)  of  his  desertion  of  the  holy  ministry, 
by  neglectint^-  its  (hities  and  engaging  in  the  practice  of 

law." 

Of  influence  he  possessed  much,  of  abihty  more.  We 
draw  a  mantle  of  charity  over  a  brilliant  beginning 
marred  by  visions  of  property  and  power. 

Father  Mushat  after  a  ministry  of  about  16  years  went 
^^'est  and  died  there  we  know  not  where.  We  trust 
he  found  that  Saviour  precious  whom  he  preached  so 
eloquently  and  earnestly  in  his  younger  days  . 

Myers,  James  Alexander.— Son  of  John  Graham 
Myers  and  Cynthia  McCreary.  was  born  in  Mecklenburg 
Co.,,  X.  C.  April   13,   1829. 

He  was  a  very  truthful  lad,  and  his  first  teacher, 
Miss  Xancy  Ewart,  was  wont  to  call  him  her  "little 
preacher."  His  opportunities  of  securing  an  education 
were  not  good,  but  he  attended  the  public  schools  of 
the  times  in  his  neighborhood,  and  having  entered 
Erskine  College  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in 
1857.  He  joined  Gilead  Church,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N. 
C,  in  1850.  and  having  decided  on  the  Gospel  ministry 
was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  in  1857  by  the 
First  Presbytery  at  Coddle  Creek,  N.  C.  He  studied 
in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  Due  West,  S.  C,  and 
was  licensed  to  preach,  presumably  by  the  Second  Pres- 
bytery in  1859,  at  Kings  or  Cannon's  Creek,  Xewberry 
Co..  S.  C,  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly,D.  D.,  officiating.  He  was 
ordained  by  the  Second  Presbytery  in  1864.  and  Rev. 
R.  C.  Grier,  D.  D..  was  the  ofificiating  minister.  He 
labored  two  years  in  Generostee,  S.  C.  and  connections, 
and  one  year  in  Georgia.  Two  years  were  spent  in  the 
armv  preaching,  and  on  battlefield  and  in  hospitals  as 
assistant  surgeon.  In  Indiana.  Clarksburgh,  two  years. 
and  the  same  length  of  time  at  Xew  Hope,  Ky.,  and 
other  points.     He  was  pastor  for  twelve  years  of  Patter- 


26o  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

son's  Mills,  Washington  Co.,  Pa.,  and  Point  Pleasant, 
Hancock  Co.,  W.  Va.,  being  installed  in  1871.  In  1897 
he  was  installed  over  Hopewell  U.  P.  Church,  Lincoln 
Co.,  Tenn.,  and  continued  for  two  years.  Previous  to 
this  he  had  for  several  years  served  as  supply  of  the  A. 
R.  churches  of  Prosperity,  Blanche  and  Pisgah,  Lincoln 
Co.,  and  Head  Springs,  Marshall  Co.,  Tenn.  Mr. 
Myers  is  now  and  has  been  for  a  number  of  year?  in 
connection  with  the  U.  P.  Church. 

He  was  married  in  1858  in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  to 
Sarah  Jane  Morris,  daughter  of  Samuel  Morris  and 
Margaret  McCullough.  She  was  born  in  Abbeville  Co., 
S.  C,  in  1834,  and  died  January  14,  1883.  Ten  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them.  He  was  married  the  second 
time  to  Miss  Mollie  Harper  Allen.  Feb.  13,  1893,  at 
Malina.  Tenn.  She  was  born  June  3,  1869.  She  is 
a  daughter  of  George  Riley  Allen  and  Isabella  Strong. 
She  has  borne  him  two  children. 

Mr.  Myers  has  given  a  good  deal  of  attention  to 
teaching  vocal  music  since  1862.  He  has  enjoyed  the 
instruction  of  such  teachers  as  George  F.  Root,  Mus. 
Doc.  of  Chicago.  He  has  taught  classes  in  no  less  than 
eight  States,  and  did  efficient  work. 

Neill,  David  Prcssly. — Child  of  Thomas  Pinckney  and 
jMartha  Jane  Neill,  born  at  Walkers ville,  Union  Co.,  N. 
C,  May  28th,  1870  Working  on  the  farm  till  nearly  of 
age,  he  spent  one  year  at  Huntersville  High  School  and 
passed  to  Erskine  College  in  the  fall  of  1891,  where  he 
graduated  in  June,  1896.  By  hard  study  and  close  applica- 
tion, one  theological  year  was  included  in  this  literary 
course.  His  course  being  finished  in  June,  1897,  the 
First  Presbytery  licensing  him  April  6th  preceding,  he 
began  work  at  Ebenezer,  and  Timber  Ridge,  Rockbridge 
Co.,,  Va.,  the  first  Sabbath  of  July  following.  The  First 
Presbytery  ordained  him  to  the  ministry  Nov.  10,  1897, 
and  the  Virginia   Presbytery   installed  him   pastor  over 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  261 

these  congregations  July  i,  1898.  On  the  14th  of  Sept., 
1898,  he  found  a  helpmeet  indeed  in  Mrs.  Theressa 
(Gibson)    O'Brien,  of  Timber  Ridge,   \'a. 

She  is  well  fitted  by  nature  and  grace  to  cheer  him 
in  his  hours  of  trial  and  nurse  him  in  his  times  of 
suffering.  He  has  met  difficulties  with  a  heroism  that 
is  worthy  of  example.  When  we  consider  the  rigor  of 
that  climate  in  winter,  the  scattered  condition  of  his 
churches  ten  miles  apart  and  these  appointments  filled 
and  this  pastoral  work  done  by  a  minister  bent  with 
rheumatism  and  aching  with  pain  and  all  these  obliga- 
tions met  with  as  much  punctuality  as  most  strong 
preachers,  this  is  the  zeal  of  a  Baxter. 

As  a  preacher  he  is  evangelical  presented  in  a  rich 
drapery  made  more  interesting  by  intense  earnestness 
and  a  vivid  imagination. 

As  a  pastor  his  work  has  been  blessed,  his  congi^ega- 
tions  have  had  a  steady,  healthy  growth  and  one  has 
completed  a  beautiful  and  commodious  church.  A 
firmness  tempered  with  wisdom,  a  zeal  according  to 
knowledge,  a  will  power  far  beyond  the  average,  these 
crowned  with  consecration  and  laid  at  the  Master's  feet 
make  him  a  servant  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed. 

Oatcs,  Jai>ics  Lcroy. — Rev.  J.  L.  Oates  is  the  son  of 
James  Blackwood  Oates  and  Nancy  Jane  White,  and 
was  born  in  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C.,  April  8th,  1873.  Wlien 
he  was  seven  years  old,  the  famil}-  moved  to  York  Co., 
S.  C,  and  he  was  brought  up  in  Xeely's  Creek  congre- 
gation. He  graduated  at  Erskine  College  in  1896,  and 
was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  First  Pres- 
bytery, at  Clover,  S.  C,  Oct.,  1895,  ])rosecuted  his  stud- 
ies in  Erskine  Seminary,  and  was  licensed  by  the  same 
Presbytery,   at   Huntcrsville,    N.   C.    April.    1897. 

He  was  ordained  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  June  23rd,  1897, 
and   spent   three   months   in   preaching  at    Bartow,    Fla. 


262 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


He  was  installed  pastor  of 
Unity  and  Gill's  Creek,  in 
Lancaster  Co.,,  S.  C,  Nov., 
1897,  remaining"  there  un- 
til Feb.,  1900,  when  he  ac- 
cepted calls  from  Hickory 
Grove  and  Smyrna,  in 
York  Co.,  S.  C,  and  was 
installed  March  13th,  1900. 
He  still  continues  pastor  of 
these  churches. 

Mr.  Oates  was  married, 
Jan.  19th,  1898,  to  Miss 
Lee  Crockett,  of  Troy, 
Tenn.,  and  they  have  two 
children. 
Mrs.  Oates  is  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Harry  Hill  Croc- 
kett, and  was  born  in  Troy,  Tenn.,  March  3rd,  1876. 


J.     L.     OATES. 


Oates,  Rev.  Monroe. — Was  born  June  30,  1832,  at  the 
foot  of  Crowder's  Mountain,  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C. 

His  father,  John  Oates,  was  an  elder  in  Pisgah.  His 
preparation  for  college  was  made  at  Hickory  Grove,  S. 
C.  He  graduated  from  Erskine  College  in  1855.  He 
studied  theology  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  finishing  the  course 
in  1858.  He  received  license  from  the  First  Presbytery 
Sept.  7,  1858.  That  year  he  visited  Arkansas,  and 
preached  in  Drew,  Hemstead,  Pope  and  Fulton  Coun- 
ties. The  next  two  years  he  supplied  churches  in  Vir- 
ginia, principally  New  Lebanon,  Monroe  Co.  Sept. 
6,  i860,  he  was  happily  married  to  Miss  Amanda  S., 
daughter  of  Capt.  J.  F.  Harper  of  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va. 
From  October,  '60  to  October,  '61,  he  supplied  Pleasant 
Grove  Church,  Decatur  Co.,  Ga.  Synod  directed  him 
to  spend  the  next  year  in  the  First  and  A'irginia  Pres- 
byteries, but  as  he  could  not  reach  his  appointments 
in  Virginia  on   account  of  the   war,  he  spent  the  year 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  263 

supplying"  Smyrna,  S.  C,  and  Knob  Creek,  X.  C.  The 
First  Presbytery  ordained  him  in  1862,  and  installed 
him  pastor  of  Smyrna  Xov.  5,  1863.  In  1864  he  en- 
tered the  military  service  of  S.  C,  but  was  honorably 
discharged  after  a  few  weeks.  He  demitted  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  Smyrna  Sept.  3,  1867,  and  moved  to 
Pope  Co.,  Ark.,  in  December,  and  was  installed  pastor 
of  Pisgah,  Monday,  August  31,  1868.  This  relation 
continued  until  Jan.  i,  1900.  This  was  a  happy  set- 
tlement and  the  church  prospered,  though  it  sustained 
heavy  losses  by  the  removal  of  its  members  to  other 
fields.  ]\Ir.  Oates  took  frequent  and  long  trips  on 
horseback  to  visit  vacancies.  For  some  years  he  paid 
a  visit  annually  to  Prosperity  and  X^ew  Hope — a  horse- 
back ride  of  several  days  through  a  mountainous  coun- 
try. For  about  20  years  he  visited  Zion  in  Yell  Co., 
30  miles  away  on  5th  Sabbaths  and  at  other  times  oc- 
casionally. For  28  years  he  was  clerk  of  the  Arkansas 
Presbytery,  rarely  ever  missing  a  meeting.  He  was 
careful  in  writing  and  keeping  the  minutes.  He  was 
the  delegate  of  the  Synod  to  General  .\ssembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  at  Little 
Rock,  Ark.,  in  1873.  During  the  year  1900  he  felt  that 
the  end  was  near  and  was  anxious  to  see  the  new  pastor 
installed  to  succeed  him.  His  desire  was  gratified.  The 
installation  took  place  Xov.  6,  and  he  died  the  ne.xt 
morning,  Xov.  7.  1900. 

Orr,  William  11'.,  D.  D.— Rev.  William  Orr,  D.  D..  is 
the  son  of  \\'illiam  W.  Orr  and  Sarah  Ann  Rodgers.  and 
was  born  in  the  bounds  of  Back  Creek,  in  Mecklenburg 
Co.,  X.  C.  Se])t.  7th.  1855.  His  father  died  before  he 
was  born,  and  his  mother  never  married  again.  On  the 
day  of  his  birth,  she  dedicated  him  to  the  ministry,  and 
consecrated  her  life  to  his  training  and  education.  Mrs. 
Orr  was  a  godly  woman  of  finest  character,  and  God  was 
pleased  to  spare  her  to  see  the  child  whom  she  had  ded- 


264 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


\V.     W.    ORR,    D.    D. 


icated  to  the  ministry,  am- 
bassador for  Christ.  She 
tarried  only  a  Httle  while 
after  this,,  and  then  God 
took  her  to  be  with  Him. 

Although  Mrs.  Orr  was 
in  very  limited  circum- 
stances, she  kept  her  son 
in  school  almost  constant- 
ly. At  the  age  of  four- 
teen she  sent  him  to  school 
at  Sardis,  N.  C.  While 
there,  he  boarded  in  the 
family  of  Rev.  John  Hun- 
ter, the  pastor  of  Sardis, 
and  he  and  his  wife  exerted  a  sacred  and  hallowed  influ- 
ence over  his  life. 

After  that  he  was  sent  to  a  High  School  at  Coddle 
Creek,  N.  C,  and  while  there  he  joined  the  Church 
under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  John  E.  Pressly,  D.  D.  In 
the  fall  of  1872,  his  mother  removed  to  Due  West,  S.  C, 
where  he  entered  the  freshman  class,  and  graduated  in 

1876.  He  joined  the  First  Presbyter}^  at  a  called  meet- 
ing held  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  during  the  meeting  of  the 
Synod  of  1875,  and  the  following  year  took  the  senior 
course  in  college,  and  the  junior  course  in  the  Semin- 
ary.     He  completed  his  course  in  Erskine  Seminary  in 

1877.  and  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery  in  the 
old  chapel  in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  Sept.  7th.  1877.  After 
supplying  churches  in  North  and  South"  Carolina  for 
several  months,  he  was  called  to  the  church  at  Hunters- 
ville,   N.   C.  and  was  ordained  and  installed  Oct.    i8th. 

1878.  He  continued  pastor  of  this  churcli  for  seven- 
teen years,  demitting  his  charge  in  1895.  ^^^'-  O^^ 
spent  a  busy  and  useful  life  during  these  years,  and 
built  up  a  large  and  flourishing  congregation,  preaching 
at    Huntcrsville   every    Sabbath,    and    also   preaching   at 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  265 

Mission  points,  at  Mt.  Mourne,  nine  miles  away,  and  at 
CaldweH's,  three  miles  away,  each  alternate  Sabbath 
afternoon. 

He  was  abundant  in  labors,  and  had  many  seals  to 
his  ministry  at  home,  and  was  in  great  demand  for 
holding  evangelistic  meetings  in  the  churches.  In  this 
work  he  had  large  success. 

In  1879  Mr.  Orr  organized  the  Huntersville  High 
School.  The  school  outgrew  several  buildings,  and  a 
large  joint  stock  company  was  formed,  and  a  large  two 
stor}-  brick  building  was  erected.  For  a  number  of 
years  the  school  enrolled  from  one  hundred  and  twenty 
to  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  pupils,  at  least  one 
half  of  them  from  various  Southern  States.  The  school 
had  six  teachers  in  the  faculty.  Mr.  Orr  taught  in, 
and  managed  this  school,  for  fourteen  years.  It  was 
a  constant  feeder  of  the  colleges.  A  great  many  young 
men  were  here  prepared  for  college,  who  afterwards 
entered  the  ministry.  Fourteen  of  these  young  men  are 
now  in  the  A.  R.  ministry  and  five  are  in  the  ministry 
of  the   Presbyterian   Church. 

The  Board  of  Home  Missions  was  created  by  the 
Synod  at  Potts  Station,  Ark.,  in  October,  1888,  and  at 
the  organization  of  that  Board  Mr.  Orr  was  made  cor- 
rcs])onding  secretary,  which  ofiice  he  held  for  nine 
years,  leaving  it  only  when  he  took  up  the  work  in 
Corsicana,  Texas.  During  these  nine  years  he  was 
not  only  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Board,  but 
also  the  evangelist,  and  in  this  work  he  held  protracted 
meetings  in  all  the  churches  of  the  Synod  with  four  ex- 
ceptions. In  these  meetings  he  preached  more  than 
fifteen  hundred  times,  and  received  more  than  twenty- 
five  hundred  people  into  the  churches,  and  raised  be- 
tween $8,000  and  $9,000  for  the  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions, and  organized  many  churches.  Owing  to  the 
pressing  demands  for  evangelistic  work  he  demitted  the 
Huntersville   charge   in    1895.   and    the   next   two   years 


266  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

were  spent  exclusively  as  the  evangelist  of  the  Board  of 
Home    Missions. 

In  1897  he  asked  to  be  assigned  to  the  work  in  Cor- 
sicana,  Texas.  In  January,  1898,  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  Corsicana,  and  took  up  the  work  of  the  Mis- 
sion at  that  place.  He  was  sent  by  the  Synod  to  can- 
vass for  funds  for  a  church  building,  and  in  this  he  was 
successful.  A  large  and  elegant  building  and  a  com- 
modious manse  was  also  erected.  During  this  pas- 
torate the  church  grew  from  forty-three  members  to 
one  hundred  and  nine,  and  the  contributions  more  than 
doubled.  Having  received  a  call  to  the  East  Avenue 
Tabernacle,  Charlotte,  X.  C,  he  resigned  his  charge  at 
Corsicana,  and  entered  on  the  work  at  Charlotte,  being 
installed  Nov.  29th,  1901.  In  the  fifteen  months  in 
which  he  has  been  pastor  at  East  Avenue  Tabernacle,  there 
have  been  one  hundred  and  forty-five  accessions  to  that 
church,  and  over  four  hundred  on  the  Sabbath  School 
roll. 

At  this  writing  he  is  still  pastor  of  this  church. 

Mr.  Orr  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Erskine 
College,  and  the  degree  of  D.  D.  from  Westminster 
College,  New  Wilmington,  Pa.,  in  1901.  In  addition 
to  his  work  as  pastor  of  East  Avenue  Tabernacle,  he  is 
one  of  the  professors  in  Elizabeth  College,  Charlotte, 
N.  C. 

Mr.  Orr  was  married  Jan.  i6th,  1879,  to  Miss  Lula 
May  Hunter,  the  daughter  of  Robert  B.  Hunter  and 
Rebecca  W.  Jones,  of  Huntersville,  N.  C.  She  was 
born  April  4th,  t86o.  and  has  borne  her  husband  twelve 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  still  living. 

Dr.  Orr  is  a  preacher  of  marked  ability,  and  a  pastor 
who  draws  men  to  him  and  wins  them  to  Christ.  His 
work  for  God  and  the  Church  has  been  great,  and  most 
successful. 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


267 


KKV.     C.    G.     PARKINSON. 


Parkinson,  Rev.  Gilbert 
Cordon. — Was  born  in 
Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,  the 
son  of  James  and  Mary 
(  Pinkerfon )  Parkinson, 
iriis  father  was  an  elder 
in  Prosperity.  He  was 
educated  in  Erskine  Col- 
le^^e,  spending  one  year  in 
the  Prei[)aratory  Depart- 
ment, and  four  years  in 
the  College  Classes.  He 
graduated  in  1891.  After 
teaching  school  two  years 
at  Troy,  S.  C,  he  entered 
Erskine  Theological  Seminary  in  Oct.,  1893,  and  grad- 
uated in  "95.  The  Second  Presbytery  lice'nsed  him 
April  13.  1895.  That  he  might  be  better  equipped  for 
the  work  to  which  he  had  been  assigned,  the  same  Pres- 
bytery ordained  him  in  the  Divinity  Plall,  Oct.  28,  1895. 
By  appointment  of  the  Home  ]Mission  Board  he  took 
charge  of  the  mission  in  Little  Rock.  Ark.,  July,  1895. 
In  July,  the  following  year,  he  opened  a  mission  in 
Jacksonville,  Ark.,  which  he  carried  on  in  connection 
with  the  work  in  Little  Rock,  until  N'ovember,  1900. 
At  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  1900  he  was  elected  Pro- 
fessor of  Church  History,  Homiletics  and  Pastoral  The- 
ology in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary.  He  spent  one 
year  in  special  preparation  in  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary,  and  entered  the  duties  of  his  professorship 
in  October,  1901.  He  was  inaugurated  Dec.  12,  1901. 
He  is  a  diligent  student,  a  scholar  of  attainments, 
and  possesses  a  vigorous  and  acute  intellect. 


Parkinson.  Thomas  JV. — Son  of  Brown  Parkinson 
and  Mary  Moore,  was  born  in  Fairfield  Co..  S.  C.  Sep- 
tember 3.    1822,  but   was  reared   in   Lincoln   Co.,   Tenn. 


268  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

His  father,  a  Scotchman,  emigrated  to  this  country  in 
early  times,  and  settled  in  the  upper  edge  of  Fairfield 
Co.,  and  connected  with  Hopewell  A.  R.  P.  church,  un- 
der the  care  of  Rev.  John  Hemphill,  D.  D.  Thence  he 
removed  to  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,,  and  with  his  family 
formed  a  part  of  the  nucleus  out  of  which  has  grown  the 
congregation  of  Prosperity. 

Thomas  was  one  of  7  children  and  his  educational 
opportunities  were  limited.  He  joined  Prosperity  A. 
R.  P.  Church  early  in  life,  began  and  completed  his 
course  of  study  at  Viney  Grove  Academy — the  log  col- 
lege of  the  Tennessee  Presbytery — where  also  he  taught 
for  awhile.  He  had  a  strong,  vigorous  mind.  "We 
believe  it  was  admitted  that  he  was  one  of  the  best  lin- 
guists educated  at  Viney  Grove,  and  probably  one  of 
the  best  in  the  Southern  Synod."  He  spent  one  year 
in  the  Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  riding  through 
on  horseback,  leaving  his  home  on  the  long  journey  in 
October  or  November  of  1846.  Returning  home,  he 
completed  his  theological  course  under  private  instruc- 
tions. Was  licensed  by  the  Tennessee  Presbytery  at 
Head  Springs,  Marshall  Co.,  Tenn.,  was  ordained 
at  Bethel,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,  and  settled  as  pastor 
over  the  united  congregation  of  Bethel  and  Head 
Springs.  A  year  previous  to  his  death  he  gave  up 
the  Bethel  branch  of  his  charge  in  consequence  of 
ill  health.  He  was  in  ministry  about  eight  years 
and  for  five  was  corresponding  editor  of  the  Due  West 
Telescope.     He  died  Sept.  6.   1857. 

He  was  married  September  15,  1847,  to  Griscilda  B. 
Sloan,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  vSloan  and  Mattie  Parkin- 
son. She  was  born  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  Sept.  22, 
1824.  Two  children  were  born  to  them — a  son  who 
died  in  1892,  and  was  Mrs.  Hettie  A.  Moore,  of  Molina. 
Tennessee. 

As  a  preacher  Mr.  Parkinson  was  plain  rather  than 
showy — instructive  rather  than  fascinating.  He  was  a  plain 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  269 

man  and  delighted  to  present  the  Gospel  in  its  simpli- 
city. As  a  speaker  he  was  earnest  and  impressive,  as 
a  theologian,  thorough  and  accurate,  a  genuine  lover 
of  the  old  Divines ;  as  a  writer,  pointed  and  clear. 

In  manner  he  w^as  quiet  and  reserved.  He  was  a 
good  man — best  loved  by  those  who  knew  him  best. 

Patrick^  Rev.  John. — Son  of  Charles  and  Isabella  Pat- 
rick, was  born  in  Union  Co.,  S.  C,  Feb.  3,  1804.  He 
was  of  "Irish  parentage  who  were  remarkable  for  their 
intelligence  and  piety."  He  was  a  farmer  until  nearly 
30  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  thought  of  becoming 
a  minister.  One  day  when  between  the  handles  of  the 
plow,,  the  thought  came  into  his  mind,  "Am  I  pursuing 
my  proper  calling — ought  I  not  to  preach  the  gospel?" 
He  soon  entered  school,  and  began  the  study  of  Greek. 
After  a  course  of  four  years,  be  graduated  from  Jeffer- 
son College,  Canonsburgh,  Pa.  He  pursued  his  studies 
in  theology  at  the  same  place  completing  the  course  in 
1841. 

On  account  of  his  views  on  slavery  he  returned  to  the 
South  and  was  licensed  in  1841  by  the  Associate  Pres- 
bytery of  the  Carolinas.  He  labored  in  connection 
with  Dr.  Horatio  Thompson,  to  bring  about  a  union  of 
the  Associate  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  with  the 
First  Presbytery  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  South. 
This  union  was  consummated  April  15,  1844,  the  Synod 
having  approved  the  basis  of  union  at  its  meeting  Oct. 
10,  1843.  By  this  union  Mr.  Patrick  became  a  member 
of  the  First  Presbytery.  He  was  never  a  settled  pas- 
tor, but  was  diligent  in  labors.  He  itinerated  among 
the  vacant  churches  and  missions  fields  of  Virginia, 
east  and  middle  Tennessee,  the  Carolinas,  Georgia  and 
Alabama,  amid  great  hardship,  self-denial,  and  expo- 
sure. In  1849  he  reported  that  he  had  preached  47 
Sabbath  and  13  week  days,  and  received  $51.54.  Bal- 
ance   due    him    $100:    of   which    he    donated    $10.46   to 


270 


SKETCHES     OF     AIINISTERS. 


Domestic  Missions.  He  made  no  charge  for  travelling 
expenses.  He  took  an  active  part  in  discussing  ques- 
tions brought  before  the  courts  of  the  Church.  In  1849 
the  Synod  overtured  to  the  Presbyteries  in  regard  to 
a  man  marrying  a  sister  of  his  deceased  wife,  the  ques- 
tion :  "Shall  sessions  be  authorized  to  receive  such 
persons  into  membership  if,  in  their  judgment,  it  be 
proper  under  particular  circumstances?"  The  next 
year  when  it  came  before  Synod  Mr.  Patrick  took  the 
lead  in  opposition  to  the  overture.  In  the  Synod  of 
1853.  by  appointment  of  the  year  before,  he  read  an 
essay  on  the  "Principles  of  Church  Fellowship."  This 
essay  was  printed  in  pamphlet  form.  In  it  he  defended 
the  position  that  the  privilege  of  communion  should  be 
restricted  to  those  who  subscribed  to  the  subordinate 
standard  of  the  Church.  About  the  same  time  he 
published  a  pamphlet  containing  three  discourses  on 
baptism.  After  the  adjournment  of  Synod  at  Salem, 
Tenn.,  in  1852,  he  visited  Pope  Co.,  Ark.,  where  he 
preached  three  months.  He  organized  Pisgah  church 
Jan.  29th,  1853.  He  then  returned  to  his  work  in  the 
first  Presbytery.  He  married  his  second  cousin.  Miss 
Mary  E.,  daughter  of  John  Patrick  of  Union  Co., 
S.  C,  Feb.  3.  1854,  his  fiftieth  birthday.  During  the 
summer  of  1855  he  moved  to  Pope  Co.,  Ark.,  and  set- 
tled in  the  bounds  of  Pisgah  congregation.  He  was 
stated  supply  of  this  Church  until  i860,  also  from  May, 
1863,  to  December.  1867.  After  that  date  he  was  able 
to  do  very  little  preaching.  He  died  Feb.  23,  1875, 
leaving  five  children.  His  wife  had  died  some  time 
before. 

Patterson,  Alexander  Loivry. — Alexander  Lowry  Pat- 
terson was  the  third  son  of  Robert  J.  and  Sarah  E.  Pat- 
terson. 

He  was  born  on  the  i8th  day  of  May,  1847.  in  Burke 
Co.,,   Georgia.      When   about   ten   years   old,   his   parents 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


271 


A.    L.     PATTERSON. 


moved  to  Jefferson  Coun- 
ty,, Ga.,  near  Ebenezer.  He 
was  reared  on  the  farm.  He 
entered  the  army  quite 
youno^.  and  served  a  year 
ni  the  war,  in  the  com- 
mand of  Wade  Hamp- 
ton. He  was  severely 
wounded  in  a  charge  near 
h^ayetteville,  X.  C.  After 
the  close  of  the  war,  being 
unable  to  work  upon  the 
farm,  he  was  sent  to  the 
Academy  at  Louisville. 
Georgia,  where  he  was 
prepared  for  college.  On 
the  /th  of  Jan...  1861;.  he  entered  Erskine  College,  and 
graduated  June  28th.  1871.  Entered  the  Theological 
Seminary   (at  Due  West)   January.    1872. 

lie  was  licensed  b\-  the  Second  Presbytery  at  Generos- 
tee.  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C,  Sept.  1873.  During  the  years 
of  1874  and  '75  he  taught  at  Ebenezer.  Jefferson  Co., 
Georgia,  and  preached  at  the  vacancies  of  "Pine  H  11" 
and  "Urier  Creek."'  ( )n  the  2nd  Sabbath  of  Decem- 
ber. 1875.  ^1^  began  preaching  at  "Lodimont"  in  the 
western  part  of  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C. 

A  few  members  of  the  A.  R.  Church  had  been 
gathered  into  an  organization,  by  Dr.  Thompson  Sloan, 
at  this  place.  During  the  year  1876  a  call  for  one  half 
of  his  time  was  presented  by  the  church  at  Lodimont 
(afterwards  m  ■  ed  into  the  village  of  Mt.  Carmel). 
This  call  was  •  cepted.  and  at  a  call  meeting  of  Presby- 
tery, he  was  ordained   and   installed. 

Eor  twenty-seven  years  he  has  labored  in  this  com- 
munity. Many  and  varied  have  been  the  difficulties  of 
his  field  recjuiring  much  self-denial  and  effort.  For 
many  years  he  was  the  only  minister  in  that  section  of 
the  countrv.     There  were  no  schools  and  but  one  church 


272 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


within  miles.  Stills  and  whiskey  wagons  were  plenti- 
ful. Surrounded  by  ignorance,  infidelity  and  indiffer- 
entism,  he  taught  school  during  the  week  and  preached 
in  church  or  school  house  on  Sabbath.  In  1893  he 
began  preaching  at  Iva,  a  town  in  Anderson  C,  S.  C, 
on  the  C.  &  W.^C.  R.  R.. 

In  the  summer  of  1894  he  organized  a  church  in  that 
place,  where  he  has  labored  in  connection  with  Mt. 
Carmel.  On  the  3rd  of  September,  1874,  A.  L.  Patter- 
son and  Mary  Alice  Trimble,  the  daughter  of  James 
and  Susan  Lowry  Trimble,  were  united  in  marriage. 
Seven  children  were  born  to  this  marriage,  of  whom 
five  are  living.  On  the  29th  of  December,  1901,  Mrs. 
A.  L.  Patterson  "fell  on  sleep."  He  is  still  living,  and 
laboring  at  the  same  place — Mt.  Carmel,  S.  C. 

Patterson,  Edzvin  Erskinc. — Born  in  Burke  Co.,  Ga., 
Sept.  8th,  1853;  was  graduated  at  Erskine  College, 
1877.  His  divinity  course  was  taken  at  Erskine  Theol- 
ogical Seminary,  and  the  Second  Associate  Reformed 
Presbytery  granted  him  license  April  8th,  1882.  He 
was  sent  very  soon  to  the  Texas  Presbytery,  and  there, 
Dec,  1883,  ordained.  His  stated  labors  began  at  Chicota, 
Lamar  Co.,  Texas,  1886.  In  1888,  he  was  installed  pas- 
tor, and  resigned  in  1896.  He  did  a  good  work,  both 
in  building  up  this  conpfregation  and  in  founding  and 
maintaining  the  Chicota  High  School.  Early  in  the 
summer  of  1896,  he  became  stated  supply  of  New  Leb- 
anon, West  Va.,  and  continued  till  Dec.  15th,  1897,  when 
his  connection  was  transferred  to  the  Southern  Presbyte- 
rian church. 

Patterson,  Robert  Emefte. — Was  born  May  6th,  1850, 
in  Burke  Co.,  Ga.  His  father's  name  was  Robert  Jack- 
son Patterson,  and  his  mother's  maiden  name  Sarah  E. 
Lowry.  He  had  good  educational  opportunities,  attend- 
ing the  Louisville  (Ga.)  Academy,  and  graduating  from 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


273 


E.    PATTERSON. 


Erskine  College  in  1875. 
He  joined  the  church  at 
Bethel,  Ga.,  in  1867.  He 
was  received  as  a  student 
of  Theology  in  1876,  by  the 
Second  Presbyter}'.  He 
studied  Theology  at  the 
Erskine  Theological  Sem- 
inary, and  was  licensed 
by  the  Second  Presbytery 
in  1878.  He  was  ordained 
by  the  same  Presbytery 
the  same  year,  and  went 
immediately  to  Texas, 
where  the  first  five  years 
of  his  life  were  spent  in  missionary  work,  often  making 
long  trips  three  and  four  hundred  miles  on  horseback. 
He  endured  many  hardshps.  Most  of  this  time  he  made 
his  home  in  Lovelady,  Houston  Co.,  where  he  was  instru- 
mental in  building  a  church.  He  was  installed  pastor  of 
this  church  in  April,  1884.  He  continued,  however,  to 
make  long  missionary  tours,  and  was  often  absent  from 
home  for  long  periods.  On  account  of  his  w^ife's  health, 
he  demitted  this  church  and  returned  to  Georgia  in  Nov- 
ember, 1886.  A  large  part  of  1887  he  labored  in  Arkansas. 
But  again  on  account  of  his  wife's  failing  health  he  re- 
turned to  Georgia.  He  was  installed  pastor  of  the 
Doraville  church  in  1888,  and  labored  there  and 
among  the  vacant  churches  of  that  vicinity  for  ten 
years.  He  demitted  this  charge  in  X'ovember,  1897. 
Soon  afterward  he  was  stricken  with  typhoid  fever  and 
died  Sept.  26th,   1899. 

Nov.  13th,  1883,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sophronia 
Boyd,  a  daughter  of  Hon.  Robert  Boyd.  Her  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Miss  Ruth  Patterson.  Mrs.  Patter- 
son was  born  in  Jeflferson  Co..  May,  1854.  They  had 
seven  children.  She  is  still  living  at  Doraville,  Ga. 
18 


2/4 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


J.     PATTERSON. 


Patterson,  Samuel  Jas- 
per.— Rev.  Samuel  J.  Pat- 
terson is  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam Jasper  Patterson  and 
Elizabeth  Foster,  and  was 
born  in  the  bounds  of  Eb- 
enezer  congregation,  Union 
Co.,  Miss.,  Jan.  2nd,  1875. 
His  father  died  when  he 
was  three  years  old,  and 
his  mother  when  he  was 
four. 

His  educational  advan- 
tages in  his  youth  were 
limited  to  a  few  terms  in 
the  public  schools.  He  determined,  however,  to  have  an 
education,  and  was  prepared  for  college  at  the  Robinson 
High  School  in  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  and  graduated  at  Er- 
skine  College,  in  June,  1897.  He  was  received  as  a  stu- 
dent of  theology  by  the  Memphis  Presbytery,  at  a  called 
meeting  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  Oct.  26th,  1895,  and  gradu- 
ated from  Erskinei  Seminary  in  June,  1898,  being  li- 
censed by  the  Memphis  Presbytery  at  Ebenezer,  Miss., 
August  22nd,  1896.  He  was  ordained  by  the  same  Pres- 
bytery, at  Richland,  Tenn.,,  Oct.  29th,   1898. 

Having  accepted  a  call  to  Steele  Creek,  Mecklenburg- 
Co.,  N.  C,  he  was  installed  Nov.  19th,  1898,  and  re- 
mained until  Feb.  loth,  1902,  when  he  resigned  to  ac- 
cept the  appointment  of  the  P>oard  of  Home  Missions 
to  the  mission  at  Memphis,  Tenn.  Here  he  remained 
until  Xovember,  1902,  when,  on  account  of  his  health, 
he  had  to  give  up  the  work  in  Memphis.  He  was  re- 
called to  his  old  charge  at  Steele  Creek,  and  was  rein- 
stalled Dec.  1 2th,  1902,  and  still  continues  pastor  there. 
Mr.  Patterson  married  Miss  Margaret  Lily  Davis 
Jan.  19th,  1899.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Robert  C.  G. 
Davis    and    Mary    Allie    Coleman,    and    was    born    near 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  275 

Nelson.  Drew  Co.,  Ark..  Jan.  4th.   1877.     Two  children 
have  been  born  to  them. 

Patterson,  Rev.  IViUiam  Little. — Was  born  in  Jeffer- 
son Co.,  Ga.,  March  7,  1846.  His  father,  Robert  J.  Pat- 
terson, was  an  elder  in  Ebenezer.  His  mother,  Sarah 
E.,  was  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Joseph  Lowry.  His  early 
education  was  received  from  his  uncle,  William  S.  Low- 
ry, in  Louisville,  Ga.  During  the  civil  war.  he  did  faith- 
ful service  for  more  than  a  year  as  a  member  of  Cobb's 
Legion  in  Hampton's  Cavalry.  He  spent  three  years  in 
Erskine  College,  graduating  in  1871.  He  graduated 
from  Erskine  Theological  Seminary  in  1873,  and  was  li- 
censed by  the  Second  Presbytery  at  Generostee.  S.  C, 
Sept.  6,  1873,  and  ordained  by  the  same  Presbytery  in 
Dec,  1874.  In  1873  the  Synod  directed  him  to  "labor  as 
a  missionary  in  the  State  of  Texas  for  the  year." 

He  entered  this  field  Jan.  13,  1874.  This  was  the 
beginning  of  Synod's  work  in  Texas.  Rev.  T.  J.  Bon- 
ner's work  had  not  been  directed  by  Synod.  Mr.  Pat- 
terson's first  year  was  spent  mostly  in  exploring 
the  field.  He  visited  every  location  in  the  State  that 
seemed  to  offer  an  opening  for  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  some  times  spending  several  months  at  the 
most  inviting  places.  He  travelled  on  horseback.  The 
next  year  he  concentrated  his  labors  at  Richland  in 
Navarro  Co.  Here,  in  connection  with  Harmony  and 
other  points  in  Freestone  Co.,  he  labored  for  about  six 
years.  But  he  was  frequently  called  to  visit  other  sec- 
tions, and  plant  churches. 

In  1880  he  was  sent  by  Synod  to  Arkansas,  where 
he  spent  four  years  supplying  Zion  and  Ebenezer.  He 
spent  a  few  months  in  1881  supplying  Prosperity  and 
New  Hope.  He  married  Miss  Nannie  R.  Boyd  in 
Lincoln  Co.,  Ark.,  Dec.  21,  1882,  a  daughter  of  A.  J. 
and  Mary  (Sterling)  Boyd,  and  a  native  of  Chester 
Co.,  S.  C.      She  became  afflicted   with   rheumatism  in  a 


276 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


few  years,  and  was  a  cripple  until  her  death,  which  oc- 
curred Dec.  I,  1897.  He  Avas  called  to  the  pastorate 
of  Harmony  and  Richland,  Texas,  and  was  installed  in 
1885.  His  eyes  failed,  causing  great  suffering.  For 
this  cause  he  resigned  his  charge  in  1897.  In  Decem- 
ber, 1901,  he  married  Mrs.  Susan  Little,  the  widow  of 
Rev.  J.  M.  Little. 

Few  ministers  have  ever  served  the  A.  R.  Church 
in  her  service  more  faithfully  and  loyally,  and  endured 
more  hardships  in  her  service  than  Rev.  W.  L. 
Patterson. 


Patton,  Edmund  Lends, 
L.  L.  D. — Edmund  Lewis 
Patton  was  born  in  Abbe- 
ville District,  South  Caro- 
lina, on  the  15th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1827.  His  father 
was  William  Patton.,  a 
successful  planter  and 
merchant,  who  was  robbed 
and  murdered  in  Tennes- 
see, in  1833,  by  a  man 
who  had  travelled  with 
him  some  three  or  four 
days  before  committing 
this  terrible  crime.  Mr. 
Patton  left  a  family  of  nine  children,  four  daughters  and 
five  sons. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  entered  the  Preparatory 
department  in  Erskine  College  in  his  fourteenth  year, 
and  after  some  five  or  six  years  in  that  institution,  en- 
tered the  junior  class  in  the  South  Carolina  College, 
making  his  degree,  in  1846,  with  the  highest  distinction. 
Of  this  class,  Thomas  B.  Jeter,  afterwards  governor  of 
South  Carolina,  and  Henry  Mclver.  at  present  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  were  both  members,  and 


E.    L.    PATTON. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  277 

others  who  have  made  an  honorable  record  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  State.  After  leaving  his  Ahna  Mater,  Dr. 
Patton  spent  some  months  in  Yale  College  in  the  study 
of  the  modern  languages;  principally  Italian  and 
French.  In  1854  he  was  elected  Professor  of  Ancient 
Languages  in  Erskine  College,  and  entered  upon  the 
discharge  of  his  duties  in  the  following  year.  In  1859, 
he  was  elected  President  of  the  same  Institution;  but 
only  two  classes  completed  the  prescribed  course  during 
his  administration,  the  exercises  of  the  College  having 
been  suspended  in  consequence  of  the  Civil  War.  In 
1869,  he  was  elected  President  of  West  Tennessee 
College,  Jackson,  Tenn.,  which  position  he  occupied 
some  eight  years,  when  he  returned  to  Erskine  College 
as  Professor  of  Greek  and  Hebrew  in  the  Theological 
Seminary,  and  of  the  Greek  Language  and  Literature 
in  the  Institution  with  which  he  was  formerly  con- 
nected. This  position  he  held  in  College  and  Seminary 
until  1882  when  he  was  elected  Professor  of  Ancient 
Languages  in  his  Alma  Mater,  the  South  Carolina 
College,  with  which  he  was  connected  sixteen  years, 
retiring  in  1898.  He  has  been  spending  his  time,  since 
his  retirement,  at  Baltimore,  Indian  Head,  and  Washing- 
ton, with  his  sons,  W.  E.  Patton  and  J.  B.  Patton. 

Of  five  sons,  only  these  two  survive.  Henry  Cow- 
per  Patton,  his  second  son,  was  a  member  of  the  legal 
profession,  and  well  known  throughout  the  State  as  a 
young  man  of  more  than  ordinary  talent. 

Dr.  Patton's  whole  life  has  been  devoted  to  teaching. 
He  was  licensed,  and  subsequently  ordained,  by  the 
Second  Presbytery  of  the  A.  R.  Presbyterian  Church, 
soon  after  his  connection  with  Erskine  College  as  Pro- 
fessor of  the  Latin  Language  and  Literature :  but  his 
work  in  the  pulpit  has  not  been  regular,  but  only  oc- 
casional, as  opportunity  offered  from  time  to  time.  In 
earlv  life,  fat  the  age  of  fourteen"),  he  connected  him- 
self with  the  church  of  Cedar  Spring  and  Long  Cane, 


278  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

of  which  Rev.  Dr.  Hemphill  was  pastor  at  that  time; 
whose  "name  is  an  ointment  poured  forth." 

In  1859  he  married  Miss  Mary  Bryson,  daughter  of 
Dr.  Henry  Bryson,  of  Fayetteville,  Tennessee,  so  long 
and  favorably  known  in  the  Associate  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian Church.  Her  mother's  maiden  name  was 
Hannah  McMullen,  sister  of  Dr.  R.  B.  McMullen,  a 
distinguished  minister  in  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mrs.  Patton  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  Ten- 
nessee, on  the  2 1st  of  March.  1834.  The  parents  of  Dr. 
Patton  and  wife,  on  both  sides  of  the  family,  were  of 
Scotch-Irish  extraction. 

Dr.  Patton  is  very  fond  of  reading,  and  has  been 
a  student  all  his  life,  but  has  prepared  nothing  for  the 
press — at  least,  nothing  of  a  permanent  character.  He 
is  now  well  advanced  in  his  seventh  decade.  Of  his 
father's  family,  consisting  of  nine,  only  two  survive, 
Dr.  Patton  and  Mrs.   K.   P.  Kennedy. 

Patton,  IVilUani  JJ'ashiiigton. — Born  near  Cedar 
Spring,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  Feb.  23.,  1824,  was  a  son 
of  William  Patton  and  Jane  Kennedy. 

The  educational  opportunities  of  his  times  were  limited 
and  after  a  few  years  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
neighborhood,  he  was  sent  to  the  Academy  at  Due  West, 
S.  C,  then  presided  over  by  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Pressly.  Here 
he  was  prepared  for  college,  and  in  the  fall  of  1838,  at 
the  age  of  14  years,  he,  in  company  with  his  brother 
Frank,  and  two  other  young  friends,  went  to  Oxford, 
Ohio,  and  grackiated  from  Miami  University,  in  1842, 
with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class. 

At  the  time  he  entered  college,  Dr.  Bishop  was  Pres- 
ident, but  was  succeeded  in  1841  by  Dr.  Junkin,  who 
was  President  when  he  graduated  in  1842,  in  a  class  of 
40  or  50.  ;\bout  half  way  of  the  course  in  1841,  in  a 
great  revival  meeting  conducted  by  Dr.  Lyman 
Beecher,    he    became    a    convert,    and    ever    after    was 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  279 

''dead  unto  sin  l)ut  alive  to  God"  tlir(mt;"li  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord. 

The  fall  after  his  graduation  he  entered  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  and  was  licensed 
to  preach  the  Gospel  at  Cedar  Springs,  S.  C,  at  the 
spring  meeting  of  the  Second  Presbytery  in  1844.  He 
led  a  very  busy  life,  preaching  in  North  and  South 
Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Tennessee  and 
Kentucky.  He  was  ordained  in  1846,  and  soon  after 
his  ordination  was  ordered  by  Synod  to  go  to  Texas  in 
company  wnth  Rev.  J-  M.  Young,  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
ploring  that   country   and   establishing   mission    stations. 

In  1848  he  went  to  New  York,  where  he  spent  the 
greater  part  of  the  winter  and  spring  of  1849  '"  preach- 
ing and  study.  Being  desirous  of  securing  a  settle- 
ment in  the  West,  he  was  sent  by  the  Northern  Branch 
of  the  A.  R.  Church  to  wSt.  Louis  in  the  summer  of 
1849.  At  that  time  the  cholera  was  devastating  the 
city,  and  he  was  urged  by  relatives  and  friends  to  leave 
for  a  place  of  safety.  But  in  a  letter  just  before  his 
death  he  replied  that  he  could  not  leave  his  charge 
when  they  were  sick  and  dying  all  around  him  and 
more  than  at  any  other  time  needed  the  consolation  of  the 
Gospel.  He  said  the  Roman  Catholic  Priests  were  ev- 
erywhere ministering  to  the  sick  and  the  dving,  and 
surely  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  could  not  be  less  faith- 
ful. Like  the  Roman  Sentinel  he  remained  faithful  to 
his  post  until  he  was  cut  down  by  the  terrible  scourge, 
cholera,  on  the  6th  of  July.  1849,  aged  25  years  and  a 
few    months. 

He  was  buried  in  the  Presbyterian  cemetery  of  that 
city  and  there  he  will  sleep  until  the  day  break  and  the 
shadows  shall  flee  away. 

ria.vco.  Rcr.  //'.  ./.  .l/.^The  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  a  native  of  York  County,  having  had  his  birth  in  the 
Bethany  congregation,    .\(ncml)er    10th.    1856.     He   was 


28o 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


W.    A.    M.    PLAXCO. 


the  son  of  pious  parents, 
and  was  reared  under  care- 
ful religious  training.  His 
father  was  W.  S.  Plaxco, 
an  elder  for  many  years  in 
Bethany,  and  his  mother 
was  Margaret  M.  Gallo- 
way. Bro.  Plaxco  was 
educated  in  the  country 
schools  of  the  community, 
and  was  sent  to  prepare 
for  college  to  King's  Mt., 
N.  C.  He  entered  Erskine 
in  1878,  and  graduated  in 
the  class  of  '81. 
In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  entered  the  Seminary,  hav- 
ing previously  joined  the  First  Presbytery  at  a  meet- 
ing held  at  Shiloh,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C.  He  was  li- 
censed at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  in  the  spring  of  1883,  spent 
some  time  after  the  completion  of  his  course  in  supply- 
ing Hinkston  and  Olivet  in  Kentucky,  during  the  ill- 
ness of  their  pastor,  Rev.  D.  B.  Pressly.  He  received 
a  call  to  Shiloh,  S.  C,  and  was  settled  over  that  con- 
gregation  in   October,    1884. 

He  served  this  church  faithfully  for  seven  years, 
teaching  school  also  part  of  the  time  to  supplement  his 
salary. 

From  Shiloh  he  went  to  Ebenezer,  Ya.,  and  was 
stated  supply  there  for  eighteen  months ;  he  then  spent 
some  time  in  Arkansas,  and  also  labored  one  year  at 
New  Hope,  Ky.,  one  year  at  Sharon,  S.  C,  and  re- 
turned to  New  Hope  for  two  years.  He  then  served 
the  churches  in  Laurens  Co.,  living  at  Ora,  and  preach- 
ing there  in  connection  with  Providence  and  Head 
Spring.  He  finally  settled  at  Clinton,  over  Providence 
and  Head  Spring  as  pastor  in  1900.  From  this  brief 
account  of  Bro.   Plaxco's  labors  it  will  be  seen  that  he 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  281 

has  endured  hardness.  He  has  traveled  over  many 
States  to  reach  his  fields  of  work,  has  supplied  weak 
congregations  and  received  only  a  meager  salary.  He 
has  not  hesitated  at  much  sacrifice  to  go  wherever  the 
Synod  sent  him  or  God  in  His  providence  called  him. 
Few  ministers  in  our  church  have  made  greater  self 
denial  to  do  what  seemed  to  be  the  will  of  God. 

Bro.  Plaxco  married  in  1883,  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth 
Whitesides,  of  Smyrna,  S.  C.  Eight  children  are  the 
fruit  of  this  marriage,  all  living. 

Peoples,  James  Harvey. — Son  of  Richard  Peoples  and 
Jane  Harris,,  was  born  Nov.  22,  1834,  at  Hemphill's 
Store,  on  McAlpine's  Creek,  in  Providence  Beat,  11 
miles  south  of  Charlotte,  Mecklenburgh  Co.,  N.  C.  His 
childhood  was  without  any  incident  of  special  note.  He 
first  attended  the  common  schools  of  that  vicinity;  later 
began  classical  studies  with  Rev.  John  Hunter,  in  Stony 
Creek,  near  Back  Creek,  N.  C.  He  completed  his  pre- 
paratory course  at  Providence  Academy,  Mecklenburgh, 
N.  C,  and  then  entered  Erskine  College,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  the  summer  of  1856.  He  joined  the  church 
at  Sardis,  probably  in  the  early  50's. 

He  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology  in  the  fall 
of  '58  or  spring  of  '59,  by  the  First  Presbytery  at  Am- 
ity, N.  C,  where  he  delivered  his  first  trial.  His  Theo- 
logical studies  were  at  first  in  private  with  Rev.  John 
Hunter,  near  Sardis,  but  later  in  the  Seminary  at  Due 
West,  S.  C.  He  was  licensed  in  the  spring  of  i860, 
probably  at  New  Hope,  S.  C.  by  First  Presbytery.  He 
was  ordained  at  Hopewell,  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  by 
Revs.  A.  S.  Sloan  and  An.lrew  McElroy,  of  the  Ten- 
nesse  Presbytery.  He  first  preached  the  fall  and 
winter  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  from  1861  to  1865  in  Con- 
federate camps  in  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  and 
also  at  Gills  Creek  and  other  vacancies  of  the  First 
Prcsbvterv.      He   supplied    New   Eebanon.   W.    \'a..   the 


282  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

summer  of  1866,  came  to  Hopewell,  Alaur}-  Co.,  Tenn., 
in  October  of  that  year,  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of 
that  church  in  the  fall  and  installed  in  the  spring  of 
1867.  This  pastorate  continued  for  many  years.  He 
is  now  supplying  them  with  an  occasional  appoint- 
ment, from  his  home  in  Columbia,  Tenn. 

He  was  married  at  New  Hope,  S.  C,  April  24,  1862, 
to  Miss  Margaret  Simonton  Douglass.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Jeannette  Simonton  Doug- 
lass, and  was  born  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  Nov.  24,  1836. 
She  has  borne  nine  children,  all  living  but  one.  The 
ancestry  of  both  families  were  good  and  worthy  people. 
His  two  oldest  sons  are  capable  and  efficient  educators 
at  the  head  of  training  schools,  one  at  Bells  and  the 
other  at   Fayetteville,   Tenn. 

Phillips,  Daz'id  Gardiner. — Was  born  in  Louisville, 
Ga.,  April  12th,  1865.  His  parents  were  David  G.  Phillips 
and  Miss  Eliza  W.  A.  Little.  In  his  youth  he  had  good 
educational  opportunities.  He  graduated  from  Erskine 
College  in  1887.  He  joined  the  church  at  Ebenezer,  Ga., 
in  1880.  He  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology  in 
1888,  by  the  Second  Presbytery  at  Cannon  Creek  church, 
Newberry  Co.,  S.  C.  He  studied  Theology  at  Due  West 
and  Princeton.  He  was  licensed  April  12th,,  1889,  by  the 
Second  Presbytery,  at  Ebenezer,  Ga. 

He  was  ordained  by  the  same  Presbytery  April  loth, 
1890.  His  first  work  was  done  in  Kentucky  Presby- 
tery in  1889.  In  1890  he  served  the  church  at  Bartow, 
Fla.  In  1 89 1  he  went  to  Prosperity,  S.  C.  In  a  short 
time  he  returned  to  Bartow^,  Fla.  He  labored  there 
from  1892  until  1896.  He  was  then  called  to  Cedar 
Spring  and  Bradley,  S.  C.  He  w^as  their  pastor  from 
1897  to  1901.  From  there  he  was  called  to  the  Atlanta 
Church,  and  is  still  their  eificient  pastor.  He  was 
called  as  pastor 

By    Prosperity,    S.    C,   Jtme,    189T. 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


283 


V>y    Bartow,    Fla.,    Nov.,    1892. 

Cedar  Spring-  and    Bradley,   S.   C,   Sept.,    1896. 

Atlanta.    Ga.,    1901. 

He  was  installed  as  pastor  at 

Prosperity.    S.    C,   June,    1891. 

Bartow,    Fla.,    Nov.,    1892. 

Bradley  and  Cedar  Spring,  Jan.,   1897. 

Atlanta,    March,    1902. 

He  was  married  A])ril  15.  1891,  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
to  Miss  Janie  \\^ideman.  Her  parents  were  Dr.  J.  W. 
and  Mrs.  E.  Wideman.  She  was  born  May  3rd,  1869, 
in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C.      They  have  six  children. 


Phillips,  David  Gardi- 
ner, D.  D. — Was  born, 
February  ist,  181 7,  at  the 
Rocks.,  near  Salisbury, 
Rowan  Co.,  N.  C.  His  pa- 
rents were  Enoch  and 
Francis      Phillips.  His 

father  died  while  he  was 
quite  young,  and  he  had  to 
educate  himself ;  his  moth- 
er was  able  to  teach  him 
some  at  home.  He  at- 
tended school  only  a  short 
time.  He  graduated  in 
1846,  from  Erskine  Col- 
lege, and  divided  first  honor  with  H.  T.  Sloan.  He 
joined  the  church  in  1824.  when  seven  years  old.  He 
was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology  by  the  Second 
Presbytery,  and  studied  Theology  at  Due  West.  He 
was  licensed  by  Second  Presbytery,  at  Concord,  in  An- 
derson Co..  S.  C.  He  was  ordained  in  May,  185 1,  at  Eb- 
enezer,  Georgia,  by  a  commission  from  the  Second 
Presbytery. 

His  first  work  was  done  in  Jefferson  and  Burke  Coun- 


D.    G.    PHILLIPS,    D.    D. 


284  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

ties,  Ga.,  where  he  served  as  stated  supply  at  Ebenezer, 
Bethel,  Pine  Hill  and  Louisville.  In  1851  he  was  called 
and  installed  pastor  of  these  churches  and  continued  as 
such  until  1892.  In  1875  he  demitted  Louisville  and 
Bethel.  He  received  calls  from  churches  in  Atlanta, 
Nashville  and  other  cities  but  refused  them  all.  April 
1 2th,  1849,  he  married  Mary  Isabella  Hearst,  daughter 
of  John  and  Margaret  Hearst.  She  was  born  in  Abbe- 
ville County,  S.  C,  May  4th,  1824.  She  died  February 
28th,  185 1.  She  left  one  son,  John  Hearst,  who  died 
March  15th,  185 1. 

Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips  afterward  married  Miss  Julia  E. 
W.  A.  Little,  March  24th,  1853.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
Wm.  and  Nancy  Little  and  was  born  in  Jeflferson  Co., 
Ga.,  April  7th,  1835,  and  died  Nov.  2nd,  1883.  They  had 
four  sons  and  four  daughters,  all  living  and  all  married 
except  one  son.  In  1868  Dr.  Phillips  published  a 
pamphlet  entitled  "Xachash,"  or  "Who  and  What  is  the 
Negro."  It  attracted  much  attention  at  the  time.  He 
died  August  22nd,  1899,  ^^  the  home  of  his  son,  Hon. 
W.  L.  Phillips,  in  Louisville,  Ga.  He  was  a  man  of  ex- 
cellent spirit.  A  preacher  of  great  power,  he  wielded 
a  great  influence  for  good.  His  preaching  was  charac- 
terized by  great  analytical  and  logical  power.  Few  men 
have  surpassed  him  as  a  reasoning  and  a  close  and  cogent 
thinker.  He  had  a  remarkable  memory  and  much  of 
what  was  best  in  the  writings  of  Byron,  Young,  Shakes- 
peare and  Milton  was  at  his  command,  and  enriched  his 
writings  and  sermons.  He  was  often  thrillingly  elo- 
quent.     He  was  a  profound  theologian. 

Porter,  Rev.  Alexander. — Of  the  original  four  mem- 
bers who  organized  the  Second  Presbytery  of  the  Caro- 
linas,  viz.:  Peter  McMullan,  Wm.  Dixon,  Alexander 
Porter  and  David  Bothwell,  on  the  8th  of  April,  1801. 
Mr.  Porter  was  the  youngest  member.  He  was  born  and 
reared  in  Abbeville  district,  S.  C,  just  west  of  Parson's 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  285 

jNIountain.  He  was  the  first  native  born  member  of  the 
Second  Presbytery,  and  among  the  first  of  the  Synod. 
Most  of  the  other  members  were  natives  of  Scotland  or 
England. 

Having  received  his  primary  education  at  home,  he 
repaired  to  Dickenson  College,  Pennsylvania,  and  here 
received  his  literary  and  theological  training  under  the 
venerable  Dr.  Nisbet,  the  president  of  the  college.  He 
was  licensed  by  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery  of 
the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  and  settled  in  his  home  churcn 
as  pastor,  succeeding  Dr.  Thomas  Clark. 

At  Cedar  Springs  church,  April  2nd,  1798,  he  was  or- 
dained and  installed  i)astor  of  that  congregation  in  con- 
nection with  Long  Cane's.  Rev.  John  Hemphill  deliv- 
ered the  charge,  both  to  pastor  and  people.  This  was  the 
oldest  and  largest  pastoral  church  in  the  presbytery.  He 
continued  here  as  pastor  until  the  latter  part  of  1803, 
when  he  was  released  on  account  of  feeble  health  and  the 
uncommon  largeness  of  his  charge.  Three  months  after 
the  dissolution  of  their  pastoral  relation,  Cedar  Springs 
called  him  for  the  whole  time.  He  continued  to  serve 
here  as  pastor  until  1813  when  he  moved  to  Preble 
County,  Ohio,  being  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Ken- 
tucky, which  at  that  time  embraced  a  part  of  the  State 
of  Ohio.  A  colony  went  with  him  from  his  own  church 
and  other  churches  in  the  South. 

They  organized  one  of  the  first  congregations  of  the 
Associate  Reformed  Church  in  Ohio.  IS'Ir.  Porter  made 
the  change  of  his  location  on  account  of  his  health.  This 
seems  to  have  been  much  improved,  for  he  was  most 
abundant  in  his  labors  and  continued  to  exercise  his  min- 
istry for  twenty  years  longer. 

He  died  in  1835.  ^^-  Burns  says  of  Mr.  Porter  that 
he  was  an  excellent  preacher  and  an  unrivalled  pastor. 
He  quotes  from  those  who  knew  him,  "His  sermons  were 
artless  in  style,  simple  in  their  arrangement,  yet  personal 
in  their  aim,  searching  in  their  delineations  and  forcible 


286  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

in  their  conclusions.  They  were  always  delivered  with 
a  native  simplicity  and  a  total  disregard  of  all  rule,  that 
was  attractive  in  the  highest  degree."  Dr.  John  M. 
Mason  testified  to  his  godly  character.  "Mr.  Porter," 
he  said,  "is  a  holy  man."  Dr.  McDill,  who  knew  him 
well,  sets  forth  this  excellent  trait  of  his  character,  "When 
God's  truth  was  involved,  no  man  was  more  inflexible, 
unrelenting  and  uncompromising  than  Mr.  Porter;  cus- 
toms he  did  not  like  to  change,  and  was  slow  to  change ; 
but  for  the  sake  of  a  custom,  he  would  never  make  an 
uproar  in  the  church,  as  long  as  it  was  not  imposed  on 
him  by  some  odious  stretch  of  authority." 

Mr.  Porter  is  described  as  a  man  well  versed  in  Scrip- 
ture, a  great  Bible  student,  of  much  faith  and  prayer.  He 
was  of  eminent  ability  as. a  theologian  and  nine  of  the 
early  ministers  of  our  church  studied  under  his  direc- 
tion. He  took  an  active  part  in  Synod  in  staying  the 
disruption  threatened  in  the  case  of  Mason,  Matthews 
and  Clark.  "He  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith, 
talking  on  his  dying  couch  of  death  as  of  a  familiar 
friend,  and  rejoicing  in  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality 
at  God's  right  hand."  He  left  one  son  in  the  ministry 
to  go  forth  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty, 
one  a  physician,  and  three  daughters. 

Pressly  Bonner  Gricr. — Rev.  P).  G.  Pressly  is  the  son 
of  Rev.  N.  E.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  and  Rachel  Elliott,  and 
was  born  in  Tampico,  Mex.,  March  5th,  [880.  When  but 
a  boy,  he  was  sent  to  the  United  States  to  be  educated 
and  was  prepared  for  college  at  Mt.  Zion  Institute,  at 
Winnsboro,  S.  C,  and  graduated  at  Erskine  College, 
June.  1900.  After  spending  two  years  in  teaching  at 
Leslie,  S.  C,  he  entered  the  Seminary  at  Due  West,  in 
Sept.,  1902,  where  he  is  now  prosecuting  his  studies. 
He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  First 
Presbytery,  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  in   1903. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  287 

Pressly,  Rev.  Calvin. — Born  at  Starkville.  iMiss.,  iNIarch 
19,  1847,  was  the  oldest  son  of  Rev.  David  Pressly,  D. 
D.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  James  h'air,  of  Abbe- 
ville Co..  S.  C.  In  i860,  he  professed  religion  in  his 
father's  church.  During  the  civil  war  he  served  with 
distinction  in  Gen.  N.  B.  Forrest's  famous  cavalry.  His 
educational  advantages  were  good, — in  a  classical  school 
in  Starkville,  Miss.,  and  in  Erskine  college,  where  he 
graduated  in  1869.  In  Oct.  of  the  same  year  he  was  re- 
ceived as  a  student  of  theology,  and  entered  Erskine  The- 
ological Seminary.  He  completed  the  course  in  1871. 
and  was  licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery,  at  King's 
Creek,  S.  C,  Aug.  11,  1871. 

The  following  year  he  preached  in  western  Kentucky 
and  at  Shiloh,  Miss.  The  Memphis  Presbytery  ordained 
him  at  Starkville,  Miss.,  Aug.  31,  1872,  and  a  few^  months 
later  installed  him  pastor  of  Shiloh.  This  relation  con- 
tinued until  1878.  On  account  of  feeble  health,  he  was 
laid  aside  from  regular  ministerial  work  for  six  years. 
In  Oct.,  1884,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  Generostee, 
Concord,  and  Grove,  S.  C.  He  demitted  this  charge  in 
1894,  and  began  work  in  Milam  Co.,  Texas,  Jan.  2.  \)^. 
He  was  pastor  of  Marlow.  Texas,  from  the  spring  of 
1897  to  Dec.   I.   1902. 

He  married.  July  21,  1869,  Aliss  N.  Ellen,  only  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  J.  P.  and  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Pressly,  Due  West, 
S.  C.  She  is  a  graduate  of  the  Due  West  Female  College 
in  the  class  of  1863.     Eight  children  were  born  to  them. 

Pressly,  Ehcnezcr  Erskiiic.  D.  D. — In  the  lower  part 
of  Abbeville  district,  on  December  23rd,  1808,  Dr.  Eben- 
ezer  Pressly  was  born.  ?Ie  was  the  youngest  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Elizabeth  Hearst  Pressly,  both  of  whom  were 
remarkable  alike  for  their  intelligence  and  piety.  His 
father  was  one  of  the  leading  members  of  Cedar  Springs 
congregation;  an  elder  for  many  years,  a  man  of  strong- 
mind,  well  cultivated,  with  a  heart  devoted  to  the  cause 
of  Christ. 


288  SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 

The  mother  of  Dr.  Pressly  was  a  fit  helpmeet  for  the 
father.  Kind,  affectionate  and  devotedly  pious,  she  ex- 
erted a  hallowed  influence  upon  all  abotit  her.  But  a 
mysterious  Providence  called  the  father  home,  while  the 
future  Doctor  was  yet  in  his  infancy.  The  same  hand, 
however,  that  had  removed  the  father  raised  up  an  uncle 
to  take  his  place.  Mr.  William  Hearst,  discovering 
signs  of  promise  in  the  boy  took  him  under  his  care  and 
provided  for  his  education.  He  attended  the  common 
schools  and  was  afterwards  placed  in  Union  Academy, 
Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  over  which  Dr.  Jno.  T.  Pressly  was 
placed  as  Superintendent.  This  was  a  school  of  high 
grade  for  that  day  and  had  as  teachers  such  scholars 
as  Samuel  P.  Pressly  and  John  S.  Pressly.  Among  Dr. 
Pressly's  classmates  were  men  who  became  prominent  in 
their  respective  callings. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen,  Dr.  Pressly,  in  company  with 
his  cousin.  Dr.  James  P.  Pressly,  went  to  Lexington,  Ky., 
expecting  there  to  enter  Transylvania  University,  but 
finding  Dr.  Bishop  leaving  to  take  charge  of  Miami  Uni- 
versity, they  went  with  him  and  entered  the  junior  class. 
After  a  course  of  two  years  he  graduated  in  1826.  He 
spent  one  session  in  post  graduate  study  and  in  the  spring 
of  1827  returned  and  connected  with  the  Second  Presby- 
tery at  Bethel,  Jefiferson  Co.,  Ga.  He  studied  theology 
under  Dr.  Jno.  T.  Pressly. 

He  was  licensed  to  preach  at  Due  West  on  the  21st  of 
February,  1829,  not  being  yet  21  years  old.  He  spent 
sometime  in  preaching  in  the  districts  of  Abbeville,  An- 
derson and  Laurens,  and  in  a  missionary  tour  through 
Georgia,  Florida  and  Alabama.  In  his  journeys  he  en- 
dured many  hardships,  the  country  was,  much  of  it,  a 
wilderness,  the  settlements  new  and  the  hunting  ground 
of  the  savage.  Alone  he  traversed  these  three  new  States 
hunting  the  dispersed  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church. 
Such  heroism  puts  the  20th  century  preacher  to  shame. 
In  the  spring  of  1830  he  received  a  call  from  the  congre- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  289 

o-ations  of  Generostee  and  Due  West,  and  was  installed 

O 

over  these  churches  at  Due  \\'est,  on  the  7th  of  August. 
For  seven  years  he  served  as  pastor  for  both  congrega- 
tions, though  distant  from  each  other  twenty-five  miles. 
At  the  expiration  of  seven  years,  the  congregations  hav- 
ing increased,  Generostee  was  demitted,  but  he  con- 
tinued at  Due  West  as  pastor  for  thirty  years.  In  1872 
he  was  chosen  professor  of  theology,  and  was  the  princi- 
pal teacher  for  fifteen  years.  The  Associate  Refonmed 
Church  felt  keenly  the  scarcity  of  ministers  in  the  Second 
Presbytery.  Rev.  Joseph  Lowry  and  Dr.  Pressly  were 
often  the  only  members  present.  The  idea  of  a  denomin- 
ational high  school  in  which  young  men  could  be  trained 
for  college  and  the  ministry  was  broached,  and  Dr. 
Pressly  was  largely  instrumental  in  its  establishment. 
Dr.  Pressly  took  charge  of  it  in  1839.  During  the  next 
year  two  other  professors  were  associated  with  him  and 
thus  Erskine  College  had  her  beginning.  With  some 
propriety  then,  Dr.  Pressly  can  be  called  the  father  of 
Erskine  College,  and  if  he  had  done  nothing  more  for 
his  Church  and  the  State,  this  alone  would  have  en- 
titled him  to  the  grateful  recognition  of  posterity.  But 
his  work  now  was  too  heavy  for  one  man.  He  was 
President  of  the  College,  Professor  in  the  Seminary,  and 
pastor  of  the  church. 

His  health  was  breaking,  he  felt  compelled  to  oft'er 
his  resignation  of  his  presidency  and  also  his  professor- 
ship. In  September,  1846,  the  Synod,  reluctantly  accepted 
his  resignation,  but  requested  him  to  continue  with  the 
College  until  his  successor  could  take  his  place.  His 
connection  with  the  institution  was  not  dissolved  until 
1848,  when  Dr.  R.  C.  Grier  took  charge. 

Two  years  rest  served  to  restore  his  health  to  a  good 
degree,  and  in  1849  he  accepted  the  presidency  of  the 
"Anderson  Female  Collegiate  Institute."  He  accepted 
only  on  condition  that  his  dtities  as  teacher  and  president 
should  not  interfere  with  his  pastoral  relationship.  He 
19 


290 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


retained  his  connection  with  the  Anderson  College  until 
1852. 

In  183 1  Dr.  Pressly  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Malinda  Agnew  of  Due  West, 
S.  C.  Fourteen  children  were  born  to  them,  all  of  these 
died  in  infancy  except  three  daughters  and  one  son,  Dr. 
W.  L.  Pressly,  President  of  Erskine  Seminary.  On  June 
20th,  1853,  his  wife  died.  He  afterwards  married  Miss 
Mary  A.  Taylor  of  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C,  in  1854.  Two 
children  were  born  from  this  marriage,  both  dying  in  in- 
fancy. 

On  August  21,  i860.  Dr.  Pressly  met  his  death  from  an 
accident,  being  thrown  from  his  bug-gy  while  on  his  wa)' 
to  fill  an  appointment  at  Little  Mountain.  As  a  preacher 
and  educator.  Dr.  Pressly  deserves  a  distinguished  place 
in  the  A.  R.  Church.  "During  his  presidency  of  Erskine 
he  proved  his  ability  not  only  to  teach  but  to  govern  as 
well.  As  a  preacher  his  discourses  were  marked  by 
originality  and  a  grandeur  which  excited  the  admiration 
of  the  hearer  and  showed  that  the  speaker  thought  for 
himself." 

Pressly,  Ehenezer  E. — There  was  born  of  David  A.  and 
Elizabeth  (Todd)  Pressly,  about  1837,  in  Anderson  Co., 
S.  C,  a  son  to  whom  they  gave  the  name  above.  At  18, 
Dec.  31,  1855.,  young  Ebenezer  entered  the  Preparatory 
Department  of  Erskine  College,  and  was  in  the  large 
class  of  1 861,  numbering  37,  whom  patriotism  led  a  few 
months  before  graduation  to  exchange  the  college  gown 
for  the  camp  gun.  In  Aug.,  i86r,  he  volunteered  in  the 
Confederate  Army,  and  June  27,  1862,  was  sorely 
wounded  at  Cold  Harbor,  in  the  ankle  joint.  While  he 
recovered  so  as  to  walk  with  a  cane,  the  musket  ball  re- 
mained for  28  years,  producing  all  this  time  a  running 
sore. 

A  ha])py  matrimonial  alliance  was  formed  with  Miss 
Lizzie  McDill  of  Donalds.  S.  C.     After  a  full  course  of 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


291 


theology  at  Erskinc  Divinity  Hall  the  Second  Presbytery 
licensed  him  April  9th,  1870.  He  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Shiloh.  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  June  14, 
1871.  which  charge  was  demitted  April  2,  1883.  Early 
in  his  ministry  he  supplied  Unity  and  Gills  Creek,  being 
installed  pastor  over  the  latter  Nov.  24,  1882,  and 
over  the  former.  May  23rd,  1879.  Demitting  both 
Sept.  7th,  1885,  a  short  time  was  spent  in  northern 
Arkansas  and  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.  He  became  stated 
supply  of  Amity  from  1886  to  Sept.  29th,  1890,  when  he 
joined  the  Presbyterian  Church,  where  for  seven  years 
he  ministered.  Now  retired,  his  home  is  Scotts,  N.  C. 
A  quiet  unassuming  minister,  retired  and  reticent,  labor- 
ing under  many  difficulties  he  patiently  awaits  the  sum- 
mons to  go  hence. 


Pressly,  David,  D.  D.— 
Son  of  Samuel  Pressly,  M. 
D..,  and  Elizabeth  Hearst, 
was  born  near  Cedar 
Springs  church,  in  Abbe- 
ville Co.,  S.  C,  January  8, 
1820.  His  educational  op- 
portunities were  such  as 
the  country  afforded.  He 
graduated  from  Miami 
University,  Oxford,  Ohio, 
in  1839.  His  theological 
studies  were  prosecuted  at 
Allegheny  and  Erskine 
Theological  Seminaries. 
He  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Second  Presbytery  in 
1841,  and  ordained  by  the  same  Presbytery,  at  Due  West, 
S.  C,  Oct.  12,  1842.  That  year  he  was  called  to  the 
Starkville.  Miss.,  church,  and  was  installed  pastor  April 
7,  1843  ^'^^^  continued  in  this  pastorate  for  over  40  years. 
Subsequently    he    preached    at    I\It.    Carmel    Miss.,    and 


U.WIU    PRESSLY,    D.    D. 


292  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

Beulah,  Tenn,  and  was  pastor  of  Bloomington,  Tenn., 
for  a  number  of  years. 

He  married  Miss  Lettie  Ann  Fair,  daughter  of  James 
Fair  and  Anne  Glasgow,  who  was  born  Jan.  13,  1825. 
She  bore  five  children  and  died  Oct.  10,  1849.  He  was 
married  the  second  time  to  Miss  Sarah  Brown  Peden, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Isabella  Peden,  April  ij, 
1852.  She  was  born  August  13,  1827.  Seven  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them.  She  died  January  17,  1883. 
He  was  married  the  third  time  May  18,  1886,  to  Mrs. 
Janie  Moffatt  Grier,  widow  of  the  late  Rev.  R.  L.  Grier. 
There  were  no  children  by  this  marriage. 

Mr.  Pressly  received  the  honorary  degree  of  D.  D.  from 
Erskine  College.  He  was  the  author  and  publisher  of  a 
number  of  pamphlets.  He  was  a  good  preacher  and  a 
very  pious  man.  He  regularly  in  addition  to  family 
worship,  upon  retiring,  committed  himself  as  a  little  child 
to  God — in  fact  repeated  the  child's  prayer  "Now  I  lay  me 
down  to  sleep,"  etc.,  and  soon  as  the  morning  awakened 
his  the  incense  of  a  grateful  heart  rose  from  his  lips 
to  the  "Keeper  of  Israel."  He  was  rarely  if  ever  sick, 
and  his  life  overflowed  with  kindness  and  good  cheer. 
He  was  wont  to  say  "Never  better,  "  or  "Better  than 
ever,"  and  his  beaming  face  reflected  the  happiness  of  a 
heart  in  touch  with  God.  On  the  29th  day  of  July,  1891, 
his  spirit  returned  to  God  and  his  body  the  following  day 
was  laid  to  rest  in  Salem  Graveyard. 

Pressly,  David  Brainard. — He  was  a  son  of  Dr.  James 
P.  and  Mary  E.  Young  Pressly,  and  was  born  in  Due 
West,  S.  C.,  Oct.  28,  1848.  His  early  education  was  ob- 
tained in  the  Academy  at  Due  West,  and  in  the  primary 
department  of  the  Due  West  Female  College.  He  spent 
one  year  in  military  service,  in  1864-5  of  the  civil 
war,  in  the  Confederate  Army.  In  the  fall  of  1865  he 
entered  Erskine  College,  and  graduated  in  1869.  He  en- 
tered Erskine  Theological  Seminary  in   1869,  ^^^  grad- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


293 


uated  in  1871.  and  was  li- 
censed ])>■  the  Second  A. 
R.  Presbytery,  at  King's 
Creek,  Xewberry  Co.,  S. 
C,  Aug.  nth,  1871.  In 
October  of  the  same  year 
he  was  sent  to  the  Ken- 
tucky Presbytery,  to  Hink- 
ston  and  Mt.  Ohvet.  Calls 
were  presented  to  him 
irom  both  these  churches, 
which  he  accepted,  and  was 
installed  as  pastor  in  the 
tall  of  1872.  This  proved 
to  be  a  pleasant  and  useful 
pastorate,  and  continued  fourteen  years.  His  health  gave 
wav  and  after  several  years  of  increasing  bodily  afflic- 
tions, he  reluctantly  asked  for  a  dissolution  of  the  pas- 
toral relation,  which  was  granted  Nov.  i8th,   1886. 

He  removed  to  Mt.  Zion,  Mo.,  and  undertook  the  work 
there,  but  there  was  no  improvement  in  his  health  and  he 
died  Sept.  24th.  1888,  in  his  fortieth  year.  His  body 
was  conveyed  to  Due  W'est,  S.  C,  and  liuried  in  the 
cemetery  there  where  he  sleeps  with  his  fathers. 

Mr.  Pressly  was  married  in  Due  West,  S.  C  Oct.  24th, 
1872.  to  Miss  Martha  Lois,  daughter  of  Dr.  Robt.  C. 
and  r.arbara  Mofifatt  Grier.  To  them  were  born  four 
children,  two  of  whom,  with  their  mother,  still  survive. 
I\lrs.  Pressly  returned  to  Due  West  and  now  occupies  the 
Grier  homestead,  among  the  friends  of  her  youth. 

Mr.  Pressly  was  j^romj^t  and  faithful  in  all  his  official 
duties,  and  rarely  absent  from  any  meeting  of  his  Pres- 
bvterv  or  S\nod.  His  was  the  longest  continuous  ser- 
vice of  any  minister  in  the  Presbytery  since  1870.  As 
Financial  Agent  for  this  Presbytery  he  had  much  to  do 
with  securing  for  it  that  reputation  which  it  has  so  long 
borne.      .\s   a   ])reacher   he   was    sound,   evangelical   and 


294 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


practical  and  earnest  in  his  appeals.  He  was  beloved  by 
his  brethren  in  the  Presbytery  and  his  death  was  a  per- 
sonal loss  to  each  of  them.  His  memory  is  tenderly 
cherished  by  those  whom  he  served  so  long"  and  well  in 
his  pastoral  charge,  and  general  work  in  the  Presbytery. 
In  his  death  the  Presbytery  lost  one  of  its  most  active, 
earnest  and  influential  members. 

Pressly,- David  Fed  en. — Son  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  P. 
Pressly  and  Dora  Augusta  Smith,  was  born  January  8, 
1881,  at  Troy,  Obion  Co.,  Tenn.  He  enjoyed  good  edu- 
cational advantages,  attending  Obion  College,  in  Troy, 
Tenn.,  and  graduating  in  Erskine  College,  Due  West, 
S.  C,  in  June,  1901.  He  joined  the  Asociate  Reformed 
church  of  Troy  Nov.  22,  1896,  and  entered  the  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  at  Due  West,  in  the  fall  of  1901,  finishing 
the  course  there  in  June  of  the  present  year,  1903.  He 
was  licensed  at  a  called  meeting  of  the  Memphis  Pres- 
bytery, at  Salem,  Tenn.,  June  30,  1903. 


I.     E.     PHE.SSI,Y,    U.     n. 


Pressly,   JoIiJi    Ebcnezer, 

D.  D.—  'Sa\y  the  light  Nov. 
3rd,  1826,  39  days  after 
his  father's  death.  His 
mother,  who  was  Martha 
Devlin,  of  Cedar  Springs, 
S.  C,  married  a  second 
time.  He  was  left  then 
in    care    of    his    uncle.    Dr. 

E.  Ej.  Pressly,  President 
of  Clark  and  Erskine  Sem- 
inary. A  high  school  in 
connection  with  the  Di- 
vinity School  had  been 
opened  Eeb  i,  1836.  The 
leading  spirit  and  jirincipal 


SKETCHES     OF    MIXISTERS.  295 

Professor  was  John  S.  Tressly.  Into  this  primary  in- 
stitution he  was  placed,  and  graduated  in  her  third  class, 
1844.  After  a  full  course  in  the  Divinity  Department 
there,  the  Second  Presbytery  granted  him  license  Sept. 

18th,   1847. 

After  missionar)'  work  in  the  West  he  spent  four 
months  in  the  winter  '49  and  '50  at  Coddle  Creek  and 
New  Perth,  Iredell  Co.,  X.  C,  and  was  ordained  and 
installed  pastor  Feb.  12,  1851.  Then  began  a  long  and 
faithful  pastorate  over  two  congregations  18  miles  apart, 
two  sermons  each  Sabbath  in  summer,  baptizing  children, 
solemnizing  marriages,  catechizing,  preaching  in  neigh- 
boring congregations  over  an  area  of  some  twenty-five 
by  fifteen  miles.  He  was  moderator  of  Synod  in  1868, 
and  Erskine  College  conferred  the  title  of  D.  D.  in  1878, 
and  the  responsibility  of  the  clerkship  of  the  First  Pres- 
bytery was  put  upon  him  from  April  7,  1873,  to  April 
4th,  1883. 

In  1869  the  Synod  appointed  a  committee  to  revise  the 
Psalms.  In  this  work  as  main  factor  he  became  intensely 
interested,  wrote  much  and  aroused  the  Church  in  get- 
ting the  mind  of  the  Spirit  in  this  Book  of  Praises. 

About  Nov.  loth,  1885,  Dr.  Pressly  received  a  hurt 
which  caused  great  sufifering  and  lamed  him  for  life. 
He  demitted  his  charge  April  13th,  1886.  Though  con- 
fined to  his  room  his  pen  w^as  busy  and  many  messages 
went  out  from  his  sick  chamber.  Loving  to  preach  as  he 
did  and  regaining  in  a  measure  his  strength,  he  Nvas  heard 
often  when  propped  up  in  the  pulpit.  After  lingering  for 
ten  years  among  a  people  he  had  served  as  pastor  thirty- 
five  years,  he  died  May  i6th,  1897. 

Next  to  a  man's  conversion,  that  which  shapes  his  life 
most  is  his  marriage.  April  4.  1849.  a  helpmeet  indeed 
was  given  him  in  Miss  ^^lartha  S.  Sherard,  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Phoebe  Sherard  of  Anderson  Co..  S.  C. 
She  was  a  woman  of  great  prudence,  good  judgment  and 
self-possession,  "of  unusual  good  common  sense,  of  nerve 


296  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

and  of  gentleness,"  the  stay,  support  and  balance  wheel 
of  her  distinguished  husband  with  his  nervous  tempera- 
ment and  delicate  constitution.  She  was  a  model,  sys- 
tematic housekeeper,  but  best  of  all  devotedly  pious. 

As  a  preacher  he  made  the  most  careful  and  painstak- 
ing preparation,  his  thoughts  were  systematically  and 
logically  arranged.  Believing  that  the  priest's  lips  should 
keep  knowledege,  he  never  went  into  the  pulpit  unpre- 
pared. When  he  arose  to  speak  there  was  a  uniqueness, 
originality,  striking  and  vivid  utterance,  sometimes  a 
vein  of  humor,  all  consecrated,  that  commanded  and  held 
the  attention  of  the  most  listless  hearer.  He  preached 
Christ  both  to  the  head  and  heart.  As  a  pulpit  orator  he 
ranked  among  the  very  best  in  the  Synod. 

Dr.  Pressly  was  a  singular  genius.  In  the  same  sen- 
tence he  would  make  you  cry  and  cheer.  Wlien  not  de- 
pressed with  disease,  an  entertaining,  suggestive,  and 
brilliant  conversationalist.  He  wielded  the  pen  of  a 
ready  writer. 

Ever  loyal  to  his  denominational  vows,  an  able  defender 
of  her  distinctive  principles,  he  was  ever  watchful  of 
changes  lest  they  be  hurtful  innovations.  His  last  great 
speech  was  delivered  before  the  First  Presbytery  at  Cen- 
tral Steele  Creek,  Oct.  6th,  1891,  against  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  organ. 

His  congregation  have  chiseled  in  tablet :  "He  was  a 
man  of  wide  influence  and  culture,  a  profound  scholar, 
an  eloquent  preacher  and  a  devoted  soldier  of  the  cross." 
But  better  than  tables  of  stone  he  is  indelibly  engraved 
in  the  fleshly  tables  of  the  heart  in  the  thousands  of  his 
spiritual  children. 

Pressly,  James  Hearst. — Rev.  James  Hearst  I'ressly 
is  the  son  of  Rev.  William  L.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  and  l*^-an- 
cis  Wideman,  and  was  born  March  8th,  1866,  in  the 
parsonage  at  Generostee,  Anderson  C'o.,  S.  C'.,  when  his 
father  was  j^astor  tlure.     \\'hen  lie  was  but  a  child,  his 


SKKTClll'-S     OF    MINISTERS. 


297 


fatht-r  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  church  at 
L)ue  West,  S.  C,  ajid  his 
education  was  obtained  in 
the  schools  at  that  place, 
lie  graduated  from  Er- 
sKine  College,  in  June. 
I685,  and  spent  the  next 
tive  vears  in  teaching,  at 
iVlarion  Junction,  Ala.  In 
this  work  he  was  eminent- 
ly successful,  but  he  felt 
called  to  enter  the  minis- 
try. 

In  i8qo,  he  entered  Er- 
skine  Seminary,  graduating  in  1892.  He  was  licensed 
bv  the  Second  l'resl)ytery„  at  Woodruff.  S.  C.  Oct., 
1891.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  of  States- 
ville,  X.  C,  by  the  Mrst  Presbytery,  in  July,  1892,  and 
still  continues  pastor  of  that  church.  His  work  in  States- 
ville  has  been  very  successful ;  the  church  has  grown  and 
developed  in  every  way,  and  his  influence  is  felt  for 
good  in  all  the  city. 

Mr.  Pressly  was  married  to  ^liss  Mabel  Lowry  of 
Harrells,  Ala..  June  19th,  1895,  and  they  have  five  chil- 
dren. ]\Irs.  Pressly  is  the  daughter  of  the  late  Rev. 
James  A.  Lowry  and  Katherine  Craig  of  Prosperity,  Ala. 


J.     H.     I•UESSI,^, 


Pressly,  Joseph  Loicry. —  Is  the  son  of  Rev.  \\'illiam 
Laurens  Pressly,  President  of  Erskine  Theological  Sem- 
inary. His  mother  was  l^Vancis  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
.\dam  Wideman.  of  Long  Cane.  S.  C.  He  was  born 
lA'b.  5tlT.  1868.  at  Moffatsville.  $.  C.  His  father  re- 
moving soon  afterwards  to  Due  W'cst.  S  C..  his  early 
education  was  secured  in  the  schools  there.  At  thirteen 
years  of  age  he  connected  himself  with  the  A.  R.  P. 
church  in  Due  West.  S.  C.     He  graduated  from  Erskine 


298  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

College  in  the  class  of 
1890,  and  w'RS  received  as 
a  student  of  theology  by 
the  Second  Presbytery,  in 
April,  1892,  and  pursued 
his  studies  in  Erskine  The- 
ological Seminary.  He 
was  licensed  by  the  Sec- 
ond Presbytery,  April  7th, 
1894,  and  was  ordained  by 
the  same  Presbytery,  .Oct. 
26th,  1895.  He  spent  a 
portion    of    the    following 

year  in  the  Texas  Presby- 
j.  L.   PRESSLY.  ^^^^^^     j^^^g^jy     ^^     Milano. 

From  there  he  went  to  Generostee,  S.  C,  and  afterwards 
to  Ebenezer  and  Wrens,  Ga.  Then  to  Hinkston  and 
Ebenezer,  Ky.,  six  months  in  1898.  The  next  two  3'ears 
were  spent  at  Salem,  x\la.,  and  Hood  Spring,  Tenn., 
most  of  the  time  at  the  latter  place.  He  joined  the  Ken- 
tucky Presbytery,  by  certificate  from  the  Second  Pres- 
bytery, in  Nov.,  1901,  having  spent  the  summer  at  Hink- 
ston and  Olivet.  The  following  year,  1902,  he  continued 
to  serve  these  churches  with  zeal  and  fidelity.  At  the 
meeting  of  Synod,  Nov.,  1902,  he  received  appointments 
in  the  Memphis  Presbytery,  and  was  assigned  work  in 
the  congregation  at  Bethany,  Miss. 

His  familiarity  with  the  Scriptures  and  ability  to 
repeat  large  portions  of  it,  and  his  knowledge  of  the 
Psalms  is  remarkable.  He  is  an  earnest  Bible  student, 
and  sound  evangelical  preacher  of  the  Word. 

Frcssly,  John  Neivton. — Was  bom  Oct.  20th,  1813,  in 
Hopewell,  Preble  County,  O.  Was  educated  at  Miami 
University.  He  studied  Theology  at  Allegheny,  Pa., 
1835,  aufl  contimied  his  studies  in  Erskine  Theological 
Seminary,  Due  West,  S.  C,  the  following  year,  and  was 


SKETCHES     OF     MIXISTERS. 


299 


licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery,  at  Bethel,  S.  C,  in 
Xov.   1836  at  the  same  time  with  Joseph  jMcCreary. 

He  was  assigned  work  in  the  First  A.  R.  Presbytery 
until  the  spring-  of  1837,  thence  went  to  Georgia,  Ala- 
bama, Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  He  continued  in  Ten- 
nessee and  Kentucky  until  the  spring  of  1838,  when  two 
months  were  spent  in  the  First  Presbytery,  from  which 
point  he  went  to  Indiana  and  joined  the  A.  R.  Presbytery 
there  by  certificate  from  the  Second  Presbytery  of  the 
Carolinas.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  of 
Bethesda,  Shiloh  and  Richland  in  Rush  Co.,  Ind.,  by  the 
Indiana  Presbytery  June  27th,  1838.  From  this  period 
his  work  was  not  in  connection  with  our  Synod.  He 
continued  in  active  service  at  various  points  until  his 
death,  August  22n(l,  1866. 

In  January,  1844,  with  his  wife  and  two  children  he 
made  a  visit  to  relatives  in  Burke  County,  Ga.,  the  Lowry 
family,  and  returned  North  in  the  spring. 

As  a  boy  he  was  said  to  be  very  quick  to  learn — -being 
able  to  read  at  an  unusually  tender  age.  He  was  able  as 
a  preacher,  but  his  strong  anti-slavery  opinions  made 
him  unacceptable  to  the   Southern  people. 


J.     p.     PRESSLY,     D.     D. 


Pressly,  Rev.  James 
Patterson,  D.  D.  —  Dr. 
James  P.  Pressly  belongs 
to  a  most  distinguished 
family.  Three  of  his 
brothers  achieved  distinc- 
tion, two  as  physicians  and 
one  as  an  eminent  theolo- 
gian. His  father  was 
David  Pressly,  and  his 
mother  Jane  Patterson,  of 
Cedar  Springs  Church. 
They  belonged  to  that 
good      stock     of      Scotch- 


300 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


Irish  people  who  helped  to  make  up  the  Associate  Re- 
formed churches  in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  some  hundred 
and  twenty-five  years  ago. 

Of  the  parents  of  Dr.  Pressly  a  friend,  Gen.  P.  H. 
Bradley,  said :  "His  father  was  a  man  of  uncommon 
energy  and  business  tact,  and  he  succeeded  in  amassing  a 
considerable  fortune  for  his  day.  For  strength  of  char- 
acter and  keen  perception  his  mother  had  few  equals." 
As  a  boy  Dr.  Pressly  attended  Union  Academy,  a  school 
taught  in  the  neighborhood  by  his  brother.  Dr.  Jno.  T. 
Pressly.  Afterwards,  with  his  cousin.  Dr.  E.  E.*  Pressly, 
he  went  to  Miami  University,  Oxford,  Ohio,  then  under 
the  presidency  of  Dr.  Bishop.  He  was  but  sixteen  when 
he  entered  college  in  1824,  and  only  eighteen  when  he 
graduated.  After  returning  home  he  began  the  study 
of  theology  under  Dr.  Jno.  T.  Pressly,  his  brother,  the 
pastor  of  Cedar  Springs.  He  was  very  youthful  in  ap- 
pearance at  this  time,  and  was  remarkable  for  his  timid- 
ity. He  was  licensed  on  February  21st,  1829,  at  Due 
West,  and  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry 
at  Generostee  March  2y,  1830. 

After  licensure  Dr.  Pressly  labored  for  a  time  in  the 
vacancies  of  the  Second  Presbytery  at  Due  West,  Gene- 
rostee, Bethel  in  Laurens  Co..  etc.  He  then  visited 
various  points  in  Georgia.  Alabama  and  I'dorida.  Two 
of  the  places  visited  by  him  were  settlements  of  Associate 
Reformed  people  in  Dallas  and  Wilcox  Co's.,  Ala.  Most 
of  these  people  had  emigrated  from  South  Carolina. 
Those  in  Dallas  Co.  went  chiefly  from  Newberry  and 
Fairfield,  and  those  in  Wilcox  from  Long  Cane  and  Cedar 
Springs  in  Abbeville.  These  communities  being  des- 
titute of  a  preacher  called  Dr.  Pressly.  He  went  to 
Alabama  just  after  his  marriage  and  began  work  in  this 
laborious  charge  in  1830.  He  divided  his  time  equallv 
between  Prosperity  in  Dallas  and  Lebanon  in  Wilcox. 
The  two  places  were  forty  miles  apart  and  on  different 
sides   of   the    .Alabama    river.      The    work    was   arduous, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  301 

but  Dr.  Pressly  did  not  shrink  from  it.  He  made  his 
home  in  Wilcox,  and  regularly  every  other  Saturday  he 
rode  to  Dallas  on  horseback,  preached  on  the  Sabbath  and 
returned  on  :\Ionday.  This  was  Dr.  Pressly 's  first  and 
only  pastorate.  He  remained  in  this  field  about  ten 
years.  Here  he  made  his  reputation  as  a  preacher.  He 
was  a  close  student.  All  his  sermons  were  carefully 
written  and  memorized.  This  was  his  habit  througli  life. 
He  never  went  into  the  pulpit  without  the  most  careful 
preparation,  yet  never  used  a  manuscript  or  a  note,  nor 
did  he  approve  of  it  in  others.  His  sermons  were  chiefly 
doctrinal,  and  as  expounder  of  Paul's  Epistles,  and  the 
great  doctrines  of  human  depravity,  atonement,  jus- 
tification, sanctification,  God  sovereign  and  man  free, 
conversion,  etc.,  he  had  few  equals  in  the  Associate 
Reformed  Church  or  in  any  Church. 

He  had  some  peculiarities  as  a  preacher,  resulting  from 
his  excessive  modesty  and  timidity.  He  rarely  ever 
gestured.  He  scarcely  ever  moved  his  eyes  from  a 
point  straight  in  front  of  him  and  a  little  above  his  au- 
dience. He  never  used  his  handkerchief  or  looked  at  his 
watch  while  preaching.  He  never  moved  out  of  his 
tracks  or  turned  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left.  But 
with  all  his  timidity  in  the  pulpit  he  was  intensely  in 
earnest,  this  manifested  itself  in  his  eye  and  in  the  tone 
of  his  voice,  and  he  was  often  eloquent,  he  possessed  the 
eloquence  of  truth  in  its  naked  simplicity. 

But  the  great  work  of  Dr.  Pressly  was  don*^  as  a 
teacher  in  Erskine  College.  About  the  year  1840  his 
relation  as  pastor  with  the  churches  in  Alabama  was 
dissolved  and  while  he  was  looking  about  for  another 
field  of  labor  he  was  chosen  Professor  of  Languages  in 
Erskine  College,  and  accepted  the  position  as  the  call  of 
God.  Dr.  Pressly  was  identified  with  the  college  from 
the  day  of  its  organization  to  the  day  of  his  death.  The 
latter  part  of  his  life  he  was  Professor  of  Greek  only. 
He  was  a  most  conscientious  and  faithful  teacher,  never 


302 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


slighting  his  work.  He  was  a  thorough  scholar,  master- 
ing whatever  he  attempted  to  do,  diligently  preparing 
himself  for  his  work.  He  was  exacting  in  his  demands 
upon  himself,  he  was  likewise  rigid  in  his  requirements 
of  others.  The  diligent  might  confidently  expect  his 
approval,  his  merited  commendation,  the  lazy  or  idle 
student  might  just  as  well  expect  his  severe  rebuke,  he 
had  no  patience  with  the  student  who  was  trifling  with 
his  work  and  wasting  his  time.  It  is  safe,  therefore,  to 
say  that  but  few  men  have  been  more  successful  as 
teachers  of  the  ancient  languages  than  Dr.  Pressly. 

But  not  only  did  Dr.  Pressly  do  a  great  work  for  the 
Church  as  teacher  in  Erskine  College,  he  was  also  a 
most  useful  servant  as  professor  in  the  Seminary.  During 
his  whole  period  as  Professor  in  the  College,  he 
was  Professor  of  Greek  Exegesis  in  the  Seminary, 
and  in  interpreting  Scripture  he  excelled,  possibly 
his  highest  attainment  was  in  the  knowledge  of  the  New 
Testament.  He  was  also  professor  for  some  time  of  sys- 
tematic Theology.  He  left  his  impress  upon  the  minds 
of  a  large  number  of  ministers  of  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church.  , 

Dr.  Pressly  was  married  three  times.  His  first  wife 
was  a  playmate  of  his  youth,  a  daughter  of  Col.  John 
Hearst  of  Cedar  Springs,  a  sister  of  the  late  Dr.  John 
W.  Hearst.  She  died  early.  His  second  wife  was  a 
member  of  his  church  in  Wilcox  Co.,  Ala.,  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  Young,  Esq.,  and  a  sister  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Young. 
She  left  two  children — Mrs.  Reid,  now  deceased,  and 
Sam.  P.  Pressly,  still  living.  The  third  wife  was  a 
daughter  of  Francis  Young  of  Generostee,  S.  C,  a  sister 
of  Revs.  James  L.  and  John  N.  Young.  Three  sons, 
the  late  Rev.  D.  B.  Pressly,  Dr.  F.  Y.  Pressly,  Prof.  Jno. 
L.  Pressly,  and  one  daughter,  Mrs.  Calvin  Pressly,  were 
the  fruit  of  this  marriage.  Dr.  Pressly  entered  into  rest 
March  30,  1877,  full  of  years  and  of  service  and  ripe 
for  glorv. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  303 

Prcssly,  John  S. — AN'as  born 
in  Abbeville  County,  S.  C,  Nov. 
nth,  1793.  His  parents  were 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Pressly. 
He  was  reared  by  an  undo,  his 
mother  having  died  when  he 
^  ^        ii||.  was  young.      He   went  to   ( )hio 

'^ffff         fs^^  when   a   youth,   but   on   account 

of  the  climate  he  returned.     He 
was  noted  as  a  child  for  his  va- 
racity  and  deep  religious  charac- 
joHN  s.  pKEssi.v.  ter.      He    joined    the    church    at 

Generostte.  His  educational  opportunities  were  lim- 
ited. He  attended  the  Church  Hill  Academy  in  Abbe- 
ville Co.,  for  a  time.  He  graduated  from  the  South 
Carolina  College  in   1831. 

His  first  theological  course  was  taken  at  Oxford,  Ohio. 
The  next  under  Dr.  John  T.  Pressly  at  Allegheny,  Pa. 
He  was  licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  Oct.  8th,  1840, 
at  Bethel.  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,  and  was  ordained  by  the 
same  Presbytery  at  a  meeting  of  Synod  at  Coddle  Creek, 
N.  C,  ( )ct.  14,  1841.  He  accepted  a  call  from  Ebenezer 
and  Bethel  in  Jefferson  Co.,  Ga.,  in  1842,  and  in  April, 
1843,  ^^'^^  installed  over  them  by  the  Georgia  Presbytery. 
On  account  of  ill  health  he  demitted  this  charge  in  1847 
He  then  located  near  Generostee,  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C, 
teaching  and  preaching  as  opportunity  afforded.  He 
died  June  ist.  1863.  He  taught  school  for  a  time  and 
served  two  terms  in  the  S.  C.  Legislature  before  he 
began  preaching.  It  was  largely  through  his  influence 
that  Dr.  Cooper  was  removed  from  the  University  of 
South  Carolina.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  Academy 
at  Due  West  which  afterwards  developed  into  Erskine 
College,  lie  married  Martha  Jane  Strong.  September 
29th,  1842.  Her  parents  were  Rev.  Charles  Strong  and 
Nancy  Harris  Strong  of  Steel  Creek.  X.  C.  Mrs. 
Presslv  was  born  in  Newberrv  Co.,  S.  C.  Tan.  i8th.  1820. 


304  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

They  had  no  chihh-en.     She  is  still  living  near  Due  West, 
South  Carolina. 

Prcssly,  John  Taylor,  D.  D. — Son  of  David  Pressly, 
born  in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  March  28,  1795,  graduated 
at  seventeen  Transylvania  University,  Ky.  Four  years 
in  the  A.  R.  P.  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  under  the  peerless  Ma- 
son fitted  him  for  license  by  the  Second  Presbytery,  July 
3,  1 81 6.  July  10,  18 17,  he  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  the  large  and  waiting  congregation  of  Cedar 
Spring,  S.  C,  and  Long  Cane  eleven  years  later,  Feb. 
28,   1828. 

Under  Synod  he  was  entrusted  with  the  first  mission 
West — to  Tennessee.  Two  months  in  1819  were  spent, 
a  sermon  on  an  average,  was  preached  each  alternate 
day,  $17.25  collected,  expenses  $33.40  and  $7.00  per 
week  was  allowed.  Synod  highly  approved  his 
work  and  "expressed  their  gratitude  to  the  head 
of  the  Church  for  the  cheering  intelligence  and  kind 
reception  of  the  missionary  during  his  tour." 

He  was  Moderator  of  Synod  1820,  her  Professor  of 
Divinity  1825- 183 1,  early  influential  and  always  punctual. 
Dr.  Pressly,  in  connection  with  Dr.  Isaac  Grier,  was  a 
delegate  to  a  convention  of  the  three  A.  R.  Presbyterian 
Synods  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Sept.  12,  1827,  with  the  hope  of 
union. 

In  the  midst  of  his  rising  popularity  and  extended 
usefulness  in  his  congregation  of  172  families  and  334 
members  this  relation  was  dissolved  Nov.  11,  1831. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Synod  of  the 
West  established  a  Theological  Seminary  in  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  May  1825.  To  the  sole  charge  of  this  responsible 
work  he  was  unanimously  elected  Oct.  10,  1831,  and 
entered  upon  his  duties  Jan.  5,  1832.  During  that  year 
he  accepted  a  call  to  the  First  A.  R.  P  congregation  of 
Allegheny,  Pa. ,  and  removed  the  Seminary  to  his 
church. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


305 


The  title  of  D.  D.  was  conferred  by  Jefferson  in  1832, 
of  which  he  was  a  trustee  1839-1865.  He  married  Miss 
Jane  Hearst  of  Cedar  Spring,  S.  C,  Sept.  22,  1846. 
Synod  elected  him  President  of  Erskine  College.  This 
was  declined.  For  over  15  years  he  was  an  honor  to  our 
Synod,  facile  princcps,  very  early  in  his  ministry  being 
called  to  her  most  responsible,  difficult  and  delicate 
duties. 

His  subsequent,  useful  and  far  reaching  career  be- 
longs to  anotlier  Church  very  near  to  us.  He  was  the 
prince  of  the  distinguished  Pressly  family.  Dignified 
in  person,  systematic  and  laborious  in  study,  able  in 
debate,  expository  in  preaching,  a  master  in  the  class- 
room and  oracular  with  his  students.  Psalm  singing 
Presbyterianism  never  had  an  abler  or  more  influential 
defender.     His  death  occurred  August  13,  1870. 


Pressly,  Francis  ]'oung, 
D.  Z).— Son  of  Dr.  J.  P., 
was  born  at  Due  West,  S. 
C,  Jan.  18,  1853.  an  alum- 
nus of  Erskine  College, 
1871,  and  was  licensed  by 
the  Second  Presbytery, 
Sept.  20,  1873,  after  a  full 
course  in  Erskine  Semi- 
nary. That  winter  was 
si)ent  in  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Divinity  School, 
Allegheny,  Pa.,  and  the 
next  summer,  having 
preached  in  the  Ohio  A.  R. 
P.  Presbytery,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Second  Presby- 
tery, Oct.,  1874.  He  was  stated  supply  of  Mt.  Zion,  Mo.. 
Oct.,  1874,  to  Sept..  1876,  and  pastor,  1880  to  1886.  the 
intervening  four  years  being  spent  as  missionarv  in 
Louisville.  Ky. :  was  pastor  of  Starkvillc.  Miss..  1886- 
20 


I'KESSLV,     D.     1). 


3o6  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

1890,  and  while  there  taught  in  the  A.  and  M.  College; 
was  stated  supply  of  Abbeville,  S.  C,  1890- 1894.  The 
Synod  elected  him,  1893,  Professor  of  Greek  and  Ger- 
'man  in  Erskine  College,  and  one  year  later  entered  upon 
his  duties.  He  was  moderator  of  Synod,  1893,  and  D. 
D.  was  conferred  by  Westminster,  Pa.,  1896.  Synod 
clothed  him  as  her  delegate  to  the  United  Presbyterian 
Assembly,  Xenia,  Ohio,  May,  1880.  Since  his  resi- 
dence at  Erskine  College,  he  has  been  a  professor  in  her 
Divinity  Hall. 

When  urged  by  Synod  Nov.  13,  1899,  to  accept  the 
Presidency  of  Erskine  College,  he  spoke  these  memorable 
words  after  four  hours  prayerful  deliberation:  "I  have 
been  accustomed  all  my  life  to  regard  the  voice  of  the 
Church  as  the  voice  of  God.  I  wish  I  could  do  so  now. 
But  I  surrender  my  judgment  to  that  of  my  brethren  and 
undertake  this  work  until  God  shall  make  known  His 
will  to  you  and  me.""  He  has  filled  many  positions, 
both  as  a  citizen  of  his  town  and  in  executive  work  of 
his  Church,  as  Board  of  Trustees  of  local  school  districts, 
Intendant  of  the  town  of  Due  West,  in  charge  of  Bethle- 
hem Church,  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, President  of  the  Alumni  Association  of  Erskine 
College,  Manager  of  the  College  Home. 

The  Institution  has  prospered  under  his  presidency, 
the  roll  steadily  increasing,  the  Wylie  Home  for  girls 
built,  filled  and  seeking  larger  quarters.  Coming  of  a 
distinguished  intellectual  family  he  has  sustained  his 
reputation.  He  wields  a  polished  pen,  the  mint  of  his 
cultivated  mind  coins  English  undefiled,  his  sermons 
are  gems,  his  bearing  dignified,  his  behavior  modest  and 
unassuming-,  a  courteous  Christian  gentleman. 

Oct.  10,  1877,  the  words  were  spoken  which  linked  his 
life  with  Miss  Louise  M.  Reid  of  Louisiana,  Mo. 

Pressly,  Leon  Taylor. — Rev.  Leon  Taylor  is  the  son 
of  the  late  Rev.  William  B.  Pressly  and  Lorenna  Eve- 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


307 


Una  Harris,  and  was  born 
in  Iredell  Co.,  N.  C, 
March  8th,  1870.  He  was 
educated  under  Profs.  J. 
H.  Hill  and  A.  D.  Kes- 
tler,  at  Statesville,  N.  C, 
and  at  the  Huntersville 
High  School,  and  at  Er- 
skine  College.  After  leav- 
ing college,  he  taught  for 
four  years,  and  was  re- 
ceived as  a  student  of  the- 
ology by  the  First  Presby- 
tery at  New  Hope,  S.  C, 
in  1892.  His  theological 
course  was  taken  at  Erskine  Seminary,  and  he  was  li- 
censed by  the  First  Presbytery,  at  Charlotte,  N.  C. 

After  supplying  churches  in  Alabama,  Georgia  and 
North  Carolina  for  some  time,  he  was  called  to  Edg- 
moor,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  and  was  ordained  and  installed 
Nov.  28th,  1899,  and  still  continues  pastor  there.  Mr. 
Pressly  was  married  at  Hickory  Grove,  York  Co.,  S.  C. 
Feb.  20th,  1901,  to  Miss  Emma  Jeannette  McDill.  Mrs. 
Pressly  is  the  daughter  of  J.  Nixon  McDill  and  Mary 
Martha  Wylie  of  Hickory  Grove,  S.  C,  and  was  born 
Feb.  6th,  1874,  and  is  the  mother  of  one  child. 


Pressly.  Mason  Wiley. — Rev.  Mason  Wiley  Pressly 
is  the  son  of  Rev.  John  Ebenezer  Pressly,  D.  D.,  and 
Martha  Sherard,  and  was  born  at  Coddle  Creek,  X.  C. 
July  24th,  1859. 

His  preparatory  education  was  received  at  Coddle 
Creek  Academy,  and  his  collegiate  course  was  taken  in 
Erskine  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1879.  Mr. 
Pressly  joined  the  church  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  in  1877. 
while  a  student  in  college.  In  the  fall  of  1879  ^^^  ^^'^^ 
received   as  a   student  of  theology  by   the   First   Pres- 


3o8  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

bytery,  and  studied  in  Erskine  Seminary,  graduating 
from  that  institution  in  1881,  and  was  licensed  by  the 
First  Presbytery,  at  Coddle  Creek,  in  the  spring  of  1881. 

He  spent  a  year  in  Princeton  Theological  Semin- 
ary and  graduated  there  in  1882.  After  leaving  the 
Seminary  he  received  calls  to  several  churches  and  ac- 
cepted the  one  from  Chester,  S.  C,  and  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  there  in  the  fall  of   1882. 

In  the  spring  of  1886,  Mr.  Pressly  received  a  call  from 
the  North  Cnited  Presbyterian  Church  of  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  and  accepted  it,  and  hence  severed  his  connection 
with  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  South.  In  1889  Mr.  Pressly 
resigned  his  charge  of  the  North  Church,  and  spent  a 
year  in  post  graduate  studies  in  Princeton  Seminary  and 
in  Princeton  University,  and  was  afterwards  pastor  of 
U.  P.  Churches  at  Bovina  Centre,  N.  Y.,  Sewickly,  Pa., 
and  Plamilton,  Ohio.  In  1897  he  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine  in  the  American  School  of  Osteopathy  ar 
Kirksville,  Mo.,  and  became  a  professor  in  the  Institu- 
tion. In  1899  he  was  professor  in  a  similar  institution  in 
Minneapolis,  Minn.,  but  in  1900  he  removed  to  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.,  and  founded  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Os- 
teopathy, of  which  he  is  one  of  the  leading  professors. 
While  in  Kirksville,  AIo.,  he  was  Associate  Editor  of 
i\\Q."Journal  of  Osteopathy,"  and  has  established  the 
"Philadelphia  Journal  of  Osteopathy,  and  at  the  present 
time  is  editor  of  this  journal,  and  professor  in  the  Phil- 
adelphia College  of  Osteopathy,  besides  practicing  his 
profession  in  that  city. 

Besides  many  articles  in  the  religious  press,  Mr. 
Pressly  has  published  the  following  pamphlets :  "The 
Logical  Method  in  Theology,"  "The  Metaphysics  of 
Theology,"  and  "Osteopathy  as  a  Therapeutic  Science." 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  following  organizations : 
The  American  Academy  of  Political  and  Social  Science ; 
Archeological  and  Paleontological  Department  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania ;  The  Pennsylvania  Academy 
of  the  Fine  Arts. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


309 


On  Dec.  25th,  1883.  Mr.  Pressly  was  married  to  Miss 
Annie  Clarkson  Worth  of  Asheville,  X.  C,  who  has 
borne  him  five  children. 

Mrs.  Pressly  is  a  daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  T.  C.  Worth, 
and  was  born  at  Fayetteville.  X.  C,  Feb.  26th,  1862.  The 
Worth  family  has  for  a  number  of  years  been  promin- 
ently identified  with  the  State  Government  of  Xorth 
Carolina,  and  Mrs.  Pressly  is  a  woman  worthy  of  her 
name. 


Pressly,  Xcill  Erskiiic, 
D.  D. — Pioneers  are  brave 
spirits.  Carey  and  Morri- 
son led  the  van  guard  in 
missions,  as  Livingston  in 
exploration.  What  these 
and  others  were  to  mis- 
sion work  in  sister 
churches,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  to  A.  R. 
I'resbyterianism. 

Foreign  missions  have 
never  been  lost  sight  of, 
though  sometimes  crowd- 
ed out.  The  aid  given  Re- 
formed Presbyterians  in  India,  the  Liberal  mission  and 
Miss  ^Tary  Galloway's  brilliant  devoted  Egyptian  co-op- 
eration w  itli  L'nitcd  Presbyterians,  these  were  picket  fir- 
ing, skirmislus  in  this  holy  war.  God  in  his  ])rovidence 
was  raising  up  one  to  lead  and  bear  the  brunt  and  mar- 
shal the  forces  in  a  larger  campaign  and  more  extended 
warfare.  .V  man  child  gladdened  Rev.  J.  E.  Pressly,  D. 
D..  and  Martha  .Sara  (Sherard)  Pressly,  Sept.  11,  1850, 
at  Moffattsville,  .Anderson  Co..  S.  C.  His  father  about 
that  time  being  called  to  Coddle  Creek.  X.  C,  his  early 
days  were  sjx'ut  there.  .After  his  eleventh  year,  on  ac- 
count of  the  Civil  War.  his  educational  advantages  were 
meagfre  and  he  labored  on  his  father's  farm. 


N.    E.    PRESSLY.    I).    D. 


3IO 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


In  1867  he  engaged  as  a  clerk  with  his  uncle,  Mr.  Pink 
Helper,  Davidson,  N.  C,  afterwards  he  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Mr.  Jas.  Allison.  This  gentleman  gene- 
ousl}'  offered  to  treat  him  as  a  son  in  Davidson  College 
when  his  wish  was  made  known  to  prepare  for  the  min- 
istry. This  was  highly  appreciated  but  declined.  Prof. 
Augustus  Leayer,  who  said  to  the  writer  that  of  all  his 
pupils  this  one  gave  him  the  most  pleasure,  prepared  him 
for  Erskine  College  at  Coddle  Creek  Academy,  1872- 
1873.  Entering  this  latter  year  he  graduated  from  both 
the  college  and  Seminary  in  June,  1878,  taking  the  six 
years  course  in  five  years.  His  licensure  was  granted 
by  the  Second  Presbytery  April  13th,  1878.  Rev.  J.  N. 
Young,  L.  L.  D.,  officiating,  who  had  performed  the  same 
service  for  the  licentiate's  father  31  years  before.  On 
Dec.  14,  1878,  the  same  Presbytery  ordained  him  at  Due 
West,  S.  C.  Jan.  2J,  1875,  an  affecting  farewell  meeting 
was  held  on  the  departure  of  Miss  Mary  Galloway  for 
Egypt  as  a  foreign  missionary.  A  college  student,  N.  E. 
Pressly,  then  and  there  formed  the  high  and  noble  pur- 
pose of  devoting  his  life  to  missions.  The  Synod  August 
19,  1878,  established  an  Independent  Mission  in  M^exico. 
This  measure  was  led  by  the  late  Dr.  J.  I.  Bonner.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  selected,  and  youthful  and 
inexperienced  as  he  was,  entrusted  with  this  mighty  and 
responsible  mission.  After  some  visiting  among  the 
churches  he  arrived  -cla  Vera  Cruz  in  Mexico  City,  Jan. 
14,  1879.  About  a  year  was  spent  here  learning  the 
language  and  studying  the  field.  By  an  arrangement 
with  other  denominations  and  the  consent  of  his  own 
Board  he  located  in  Tampico  Dec.  6,  1879. 

Mr.  Pressly  wedded  Mrs.  Rachel  Elliott  Rosboro, 
daughter  of  Mr.  Henry  Lawrence  and  Mrs.  Millagan 
(McMaster)  Elliott  of  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  Nov.  5,  1878. 
Three  sons  are  the  fruit  of  this  marriage,  Bonner  Grier, 
John  Ebenezer  and  Henry  Elliott. 

In   some  aspects  Bro.   Pressly  is  one  of  the  most  re- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  311 

niarkable  young  men  of  our  Church.  His  faith  and 
courage  is  seen  when  alone  he  set  foot  on  a  foreign  soil 
and  undertook  to  found  a  mission  backed  by  a  denomin- 
ation not  large  in  numbers  nor  rich  in  resources  nor 
trained  in  experience.  Yet  he  followed  his  convictions, 
the  indications  of  providence,  plead  for  his  Savior  and 
awakened  the  sympathy  and  sustenance  of  his  Synod. 
His  devotion  to  the  Mexican  Mission  is  exemplary,  ani- 
mating and  sublime. 

His  Alma  IMater  honored  him  in  1901  with  the  title 
of  D.  D.  His  Master  has  blessed  his  work  not  only  in 
administrative  ability  in  selecting  other  countries  but  in 
his  own  special  sphere.  Here  are  2  schools,  6  teachers 
and  100  pupils,  collections  in  1902  were  491.12,  addi- 
tions 20,  5  assistant  native  missionaries  and  church  and 
school  property  worth  $15,600.  In  that  too  short  list  of 
brave  pioneer  Foreign  Missionaries  "who  through  faith 
subdued  kingdoms,  wrought  righteousness,  obtained 
promises,  stopped  the  mouths  of  lions,  quenched  the 
violence  of  fire,  escaped  the  edge  of  the  sword,  out  of 
weakness  were  made  strong,  waxed  valiant  in  fight, 
turned  to  flight  the  armies  of  the  aliens,"  the  name  of 
Xcill  Erskine  Pressly  will  have  an  honored  place.      ^ 

Pressly,  Rev.  Paul  Adam.— Rgy.  Paul  A.  Pressly,  at 
this  writing  a  student  in  Erskine  Theological  Seminary, 
is  the  son  of  Rev.  W.  L.  and  Mrs.  Francis  Wideman 
Pressly.  He  was  born  September  30th,  1878,  at  Due 
West,  S.  C,  while  his  father  was  pastor  of  the  church 
at  that  place.  Attended  school  at  the  Due  West  Fe- 
male College,  and  afterward  at  Erskine,  graduating 
from  the  latter  institution  in  1900.  He  entered  Erskine 
Seminary  in  fall  of  1902,  having  previously  taught 
school  for  one  year  at  Clover,  S.  C,  and  having  read 
law  for  sonic  time  in  the  office  of  Judge  J.  H.  Miller,  of 
Birmingham,  Ala. 

In  April,  1903,  he  connectctl  with  the  Second  Presby- 
tery   at    Due    West,    and    during    his    summer    vacation 


312 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


labored  in  the  bounds  of  the  Texas  Presbytery.  In 
September  of  the  same  year  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lois 
Moffatt  of  Troy,  Tenn. 

Prcssly,  Mrs.  Rachel 
Elliott. — Is  a  descendant 
of  the  sturdy  Scotch-Irish 
of  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  and 
a  daughter  of  the  late  H. 
L.  Elliott  and  Mary  Milli- 
gan  McMaster — families 
eminent  in  Fairfield  andl 
the  A.  R.  church.  She 
was  born  Dec.  i6th,  1848. 
She  was  the  second  lady 
missionary  of  the  A.  R. 
church.  She  received  her 
earh-  education  in  the  Fe- 

MRS.     N.     E.     PRESSLY.  i "       ,-  ■  -itt- 

male  Semmary  at  Wums- 
boro,  and  later  under  the  tuition  of  Rev.  Dr.  Lord,  of 
New  Orleans.  She  was  always  an  apt,  diligent  pupil. 
In  early  youth  she  made  a  profession  of  faith,  in  Winns- 
boro,  under  the  ministry  of  Dr.  C.  B.  Betts. 

At  the  age  of  20  she  was  married  to  Mr.  B.  C.  Rose- 
boro,  who  died  within  five  years. 

In  1877  she  entered  the  Due  West  Female  College  to 
study  music.  Here  she  made  the  acquaintance  of  Rev. 
Neill  E.  Pressly,  a  divinity  student,  to  whom  she  was 
married  in  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  Nov.  5th,   1878. 

Mr.  Pressly,  before  completing  his  theological  studies 
had  resolved,  if  the  way  was  open,  to  go  as  the  second 
missionary  of  his  Church  to  Egypt,  and  with  him  his 
bride-elect  was  to  share  the  work  of  his  life.  At  the 
meeting  ot  the  Synod  that  year,  it  was  determined  to 
open  an  Independent  Foreign  Mission  in  Mexico  and 
Mr.  Pressly  and  his  wife  were  commissioned  to  Mexico 
as   the   first    missionaries    of   their    Church    to   that    field. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


313 


The  first  year  of  their  missionary  life  was  spent  at 
Mexico  City,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  1879  they  were 
located  at  Tampico  on  the  Gulf  Coast  of  Mexico,  where 
they  have  lived  for  about  twenty-three  years.  Mrs. 
Pressly  has  been  a  faithful  wife,  a  true  helpmeet,  a  safe 
counselor  to  her  husband  in  his  labors  and  difificulties, 
and  has  always  taken  an  active  part  with  him  in  his  work. 
She  is  not  only  a  devoted  and  fond  mother  to  her  chil- 
dren, but  was  the  educator  of  her  three  boys  until  they 
were  sent  to  enter  the  high  school  of  her  native  town. 
Knowing  the  evil  of  a  bad  education,  she  resolved  to  train 
up  her  children  in  the  fear  of  God,  a  difficult  task  in  the 
moral  surroundings  of  her  adopted  country.  If  exem- 
])lar\-  deportment  through  half  a  century  of  life,  an 
unremitting  zeal  in  contributing  to  the  happiness  of 
others,  and  a  full  conviction  of  the  truths  of  religion  and 
morality  form  the  basis  of  a  good  woman,  these  ele- 
ments are  manifest  in  her  character.  ]\Iay  she  be  spared 
man\-  years  to  her  Church,  to  her  friends  and  to  her 
loved  ones.  She  is  the  mother  of  five  children  :  ]\Iary 
Elliott,  Jennie  Bell,  Bonner  Grier,  John  Ebenezer  and 
Henry  Elliott.     The  eldest  has  passed  over  the  river. 


T.     1*.     rKESSl.V. 


Pressly,  Thomas  Pedcn. 
— Was  a  son  of  the  Rev. 
David  Pressly,  D.  D.,  and 
Sarah  Brown  Peden,  and 
was  born  near  Starkville, 
Miss.,  January-  15,  1853. 
lie  attended  school  in 
Starkville*  ^liss.,  and 
graduated  from  Erskine 
College,  Due  West,  S.  C, 
in  1872.  Two  years  pre- 
vious to  this  he  joined 
the  .\ssociate  Reformed 
church    at    Starkville,    then 


314 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


under  the  pastoral  care  of  his  father.  In  January,  1874, 
he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
and  was  under  the  care  of  the  Second  Presbytery  during 
the  course.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Mem- 
phis Presbytery,  at  Salem,  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  Septem- 
ber 4,  1875,  and  was  ordained  by  that  Presbytery  at 
Richland,  Shelby  Co.  Tenn.,  September  2,  1876.  He 
accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Troy,  Tenn., 
church,  August  31,  1876,  and  was  installed  pastor  over 
this  congregation  October  14,  1876.  Here  he  continues 
to  labor  with  great  acceptance,  an  earnest,  faithful  and 
consecrated  minister  of  the  New  Covenant.  Two  years 
ago,  in  1901,  the  quarter-centennial  of  his  pastorate  was 
appropriately  celebrated   by  his  congregation. 

He  was  married  at  Troy,  Tenn.,  Dec.  25,  1877,  to  Miss 
Dora  Augusta  Smith.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Major 
James  Graham  Smith  and  Sarah  Eliza  Allen.  Four 
children  were  born  to  them,  one  of  whom,  David  Peden, 
is  now  (1903)  completing  his  theological  course  in  Ers- 
kine  Seminary.  She  died  April  15,  1890.  He  was  mar- 
ried the  second  time  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Stephens) 
Bittick,  Dec.  22,  1892.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Jerry 
Stephens  and  Martha  Ann  Taylor.  Four  children  have 
been  born  to  them. 

Pressly,  William  Barron. — In  the  home  of  Richard 
McMillen  and  Mary  (Barron)  Pressly  there  was  born, 
March  2nd,  1828,  a  son  of  whom  it  might  have  been 
predicted,  "grace  is  poured  into  thy  lips." 

After  a  full  course  in  Erskine  College,  he  graduated 
in  July,  1849.  He  then  spent  some  time  teaching  in 
Steele  Creek,  N.  C,  and  passing  thence  to  Erskine  The- 
ological Seminary,  was  licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery, 
Dec.  8,  1853.  After  some  mission  work  in  Kentucky, 
his  ordination  and  installation  over  New  Stirling  and 
Amity,  Iredell  Co.,  N.  C.  took  place,  Nov.  9,  1855.  Of 
engaging   manners,    lovely    disposition,    a    |)rince    among 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


315 


REV.  \V.  B.  PRHSSI.V. 


men  with  tact  and  energy 
and  intense  piety,  he  was 
soon  the  leading  spirit  in 
the  Master's  work  in  that 
whole   section. 

During  the  civil  war, 
Bro.  Pressly  began  to 
teach.  After  the  war, 
about  1866,  he  was  asso- 
ciated with  Prof.  H.  T. 
Burke.  The  school  flour- 
ished for  a  number  of 
years,  and  did  a  good  work 
for  the  cause  of  education 
in  general  and  the  pulpit 
in  particular.  When  the  office  of  County  Superintend- 
ent was  created  about  1880,  he  was  elected  to  fill  that 
responsible  place,  and  such  was  his  efficiency  that  the 
August  preceding  his  death  the  position  was  put  upon 
him  again. 

He  was  a  missionary  pastor.  His  belief  was  that 
building  missions  was  the  wa}-  to  strengthen  the  mother 
church.  About  1867  services  were  held  at  Hiddenite 
and  a  little  later  at  Statesville,  X.  C.  Another  wing, 
now  Elk  Shoals,  was  cultivated.  April  8th,  1878,  was  the 
date  of  his  demittal  of  New  Stirling  and  May  17,  1878, 
he  was  installed  pastor  over  Statesville,  X.  C.  having 
removed  there  the  preceding  year.  The  Moderator- 
ship  of  the  Synod  was  his  responsibility  in  1876.  But 
this  weak  body  could  not  carry  the  load  nor  these 
nerves  bear  the  strain.  Palpitation  of  the  heart  had 
given  him  concern  for  a  number  of  years. 

A  sermon  was  prepared  for  X^ov.  25th,  1883.  Man 
proposes,  but  God  disposes.  The  Sabbath  being  stormy, 
only  a  few  were  out.  Returning  home,  inclement 
weather  kept  him  in  doors.  Sound  sleep  is  disturbed  at 
10   P.   M.,   a   strange   noise,   unusual   breathing  and   his 


3i6  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

inanimate  clay  lay  in  the  presence  of  a  heart-broken  wife 
and  sons.  As  one  said,  he  walked  with  God  that  day  and 
he  walked  so  close  and  so  far  with  him  that  night,  that  the 
Father  said  "just  come  over  home  with  me."  Appropriate 
exercises  were  held  in  his  church  at  Statesville.  The 
city  cemetery  begged  his  body  and  a  monument  was  as- 
sured. But  his  intimate  friends  preferred  the  country 
church  yard  at  Xew  Stirling. 

The  common  terms  of  eulogy  would  seem  tame  when 
applied  to  him,  and  to  go  beyond  these  might  seem  to 
those  who  knew  him  not  extravagancies  of  speech ;  but 
to  say  he  was  as  pure  and  gentle  as  the  purest  and 
gentlest  woman  is  to  speak  within  the  facts.  No  man 
in  the  county  was  so  well  known  and  beloved.  People 
of  all  denominations  mingled  their  tears  over  his  grave, 
and  experienced  much  of  the  keenness  of  the  grief  which 
settled  upon  the  hearts  of  his  own  people. 

He  was  a  rare  combination.  Few  men  had  his  won- 
derful tact  and  foresight  in  mingling  agreeblv  and  yet 
loyally  with  all  creeds.  No  man  ever  saw  him  needlessly 
ofifend  and  none  ever  saw  him  uselessly  compromise. 
Peerless  as  a  peace  maker,  naturally  high  mettled,  in- 
tensely sympathetic,  grace  laid  these  under  contribtition 
to  make  him  a  power  in  the  sick  room,  in  the  house  of 
motirning,  in  the  church,  court,  in  the  parlor  or  among 
the  rude.  He  was  eminently  a  pastor.  He  ruled  men 
unconsciously  by  love  and  gentleness.  No  one  could 
nurse  resentment  in  his  presence  nor  resist  his  appeals. 

The  story  goes  that  about  1853  while  teaching  at 
Steele  Creek,  N.  C,  a  mother  brought  a  girl  just  entering 
her  teens,  "Train  her  up  right  and  you  can  have  her." 
May  26th.  1858,  he  claimed  this  now  well-educated  and 
accomplished  pupil,  Miss  Lorenna  Evelina  Harris.  She 
shared  his  hardships,  made  bright  his  home,  kept  the 
fires  on  the  altar  burning.  She  toiled  in  secret  that  he 
might  triumph  in  public.  How  much  she  contributed 
to  his  great  success  we  will  not  know  till  the  record  of 
surprises  is  unrolled. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


2>^7 


\\.   L.  PRESSLV.  D.   F). 


Prcssly,  Rev.  ]Villiam 
Laurens,  D.  D. — The  be- 
loved president  of  Erskine 
riieolog-ical  Seminary,  the 
chstinguished  son  of  a  dis- 
tinguished sire,  was  born 
near  Due  West,  S.  C,  May 
3rd.  1837.  His  parents 
were  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly, 
D.  D.,  and  Elizabeth  Ag- 
new.  Dr.  Pressly,  senior, 
lived  on  a  farm  for  some 
time  about  half  way  be- 
tween Donalds  and  Due 
West,  while  he  was  pastor 
of  the  church  at  the  latter  place,  and  it  was  here  that  his 
son,  William  Laurens,  was  born.  There  is  now  nothing 
left  of  the  old  residence,  but  it  was  situated  south  east 
and  not  far  from  the  present  home  of  Mr.  J.  E.  Todd. 
Dr.  Presslv,  senior,  was  much  afflicted  in  the  death  of 
his  children,  a  number  of  them  dying  in  infancy.  Three 
daughters  and  one  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  lived 
to  maturity,  but  the  daughters  have  all  passed  away,  and 
Dr.  W.  L.  is  the  only  representative  of  the  family  left. 

The  schools  in  the  Due  West  community  furnished 
very  good  educational  opportunities  to  boys  some  fifty 
years  ago.  Dr.  Pressly's  advantages  in  early  life  w^ere 
therefore  good,  he  entered  Erskine  College  at  an  early 
age,  and  graduated  in  the  class  of  1857.  He  did  not 
immediately  enter  the  Seminary  strange  to  say,  we  are 
told  that  he  merchandized  for  some  time. 

The  calling  seems  somewhat  out  of  harmony  with  the 
Doctor's  temperament  and  tastes  as  we  now  know  him, 
but  the  information,  incredible  as  it  may  seem,  is  given 
us  on  good  authority.  We  do  not  know  what  success 
he  achieved  behind  the  counter,  we  feel  sure,  however, 
that  whether  he  made  money  or  not,  he  never  misrep- 
resented his  goods. 


3i8  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

It  was  the  custom  then  as  now  sometimes  for  young 
men  to  marry  before  they  completed  their  theolog- 
ical course.  To  this  latter  custom  Dr.  Pressly  con- 
formed. He  was  married  to  Miss  Francis  Elizabeth 
Wideman  of  Long  Cane,  S.  C,  Dec.  23rd,  1858.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Adam  Wideman  and  one  of  the 
well-known  families,  Caroline  Davis  of  Dr.  H.  T.  Sloan's 
congregation.  In  his  marriage  Dr.  Pressly  found  an 
helpmeet  indeed  worthy  of  his  distinguished  place,  and 
great  usefulness,  an  efficient  co-worker  with  hijii  in  all  his 
labors.  In  1859,  ^^'^^  year  after  his  marriage,  Dr.  Pressly 
entered  the  Seminary,  then  presided  over  by  his  father. 
He  connected  with  the  Second  Presbytery  and  in  April, 
i860,  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  at  a  meeting  at 
Cedar  Springs. 

He  received  a  call  to  the  united  charge  of  Generostee 
and  Concord  in  Anderson  Co.,  and  was  ordained  and 
installed  pastor  over  these  churches  in  1862.  In  this 
field  he  labored  for  nine  years  most  acceptably.  The 
church  at  Concord  was  small  but  Generostee  at  this 
time,  while  not  as  large  as  it  had  been  in  some  pre- 
vious pastorates,  was,  nevertheless,  a  flourishing  con- 
gregation. During  the  war,  however,  the  salary  was 
exceedingly  small.  The  people  were  not  able  to  pay 
much,  and  a  few  hundred  dollars  would  doubtless 
cover  all  the  salary  for  the  four  years  of  that  period 
of  want,  distress  and  bloodshed.  In  1871  Dr.  Pressly 
was  called  to  Due  West  as  pastor  of  the  church  at 
that  place,  to  succeed  Dr.  R.  C.  Grier.  He  entered 
upon  his  work  here  in  January,  1872.  For  seventeen 
years  he  laborefl  as  pastor  and  preached  in  this 
congregation.  During  all  this  time  his  pulpit  was 
his  throne  of  power.  The  Doctor  grew  in  wisdom  and 
strength  as  a  preacher,  and  in  this  possibly  the  most 
fruitful  field  in  the  Synod,  his  work  was  greatly  blessed. 
Besides  the  people  of  Due  West,  large  numbers  of  young 
people  in  the  two  colleges  waited  upon  his  ministry  and 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


319 


ever  profited  by  his  preaching.  His  sermons  were  full 
of  instruction,  saturated  with  Scripture,  most  earnestly 
and  at  times  eloquently  delivered.  Dr.  Pressly  is  es- 
pecially strong  in  his  power  of  analysis,  in  ability  to  see 
the  truth  of  a  text  and  to  draw  out  the  special  doctrine 
taught  in  any  particular  passage.  He  has  a  profound 
reverence  for  the  words  of  the  spirit,  deep  spiritual  in- 
sight, a  remarkable  knowledge  of  Scripture  and  great 
aptness  and  facility  in  quoting  from  it.  His  sermons 
were  often  full  of  Calvinistic  theology,  or  rather  the 
theology  of  the  Bible  and  contained  meat  for  the  strong. 
He  usually  packed  a  great  deal  in  a  sermon,  and  some- 
times was  thought  a  little  long  by  the  younger  mem- 
bers of  his  congregation.  His  delivery  was  ordinarily 
quiet  and  impressive,  but  sometimes  his  utterance  was 
most  emphatic  and  he  was  frequently  truly  eloquent.  He 
makes  no  attempt  at  oratory,  but  all  would  regard  him  as 
a  very  earnest  speaker.  As  a  pastor  Dr.  Pressly  was  kind, 
sympathetic  and  tender.  His  visits  were  full  of  comfort 
to  the  sick  and  he  was  always  ready  to  furnish  Christian 
consolation  to  the  sorrowing.  His  pastorate  in  Due  West 
was  abundantly  blessed  in  building  up  the  congregation 
and  in  adding  many  souls  to  Christ.  It  was  with  great 
reluctance  that  the  church  yielded  to  the  call  of  Synod, 
and  consented  for  him  to  accept  the  presidenc}'  of  the 
Seminary — on  the  death  of  Rev.  James  Boyce,  D.  D. 
He  was  elected  to  this  position  in  1889  at  a  meeting  of 
Synod  held  at  Prosperity,  S.  C,  and  now  for  thirteen 
years  has  been  doing  most  excellent  service  in  training 
young  men  for  the  ministry.  He  had  been  a  teacher  in 
the  Seminary  for  many  years  before  his  election  to  the 
presidency,  having  charge  of  Hebrew.  He  still  retains 
this  department  in  addition  to  his  work  as  professor  of 
systematic  theology.  Dr.  Pressly  has  nine  children 
living. 

The  only  daughter.  Effie.  is  the  wife  of  Prof.  Paul  L. 
Gricr  of  Erskine  College.     Two  sons  are  physicians.  Dr. 


320  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

E.  W.  of  Clover,  S.  C,  and  Dr.  Henry  of  Birmingham, 
Ala.  Three  are  in  the  ministry,  Rev.  J.  H.  of  Statesville, 
S.  C,  Rev.  Joseph  L.  of  Mt.  Zion,  Mo.,  and  Rev.  Paul 
A.  of  Lancaster.  S.  C.  One  is  in  the  Seminary  and  the 
other  sons  are  with  the  family  at  home. 

Priiiglc,  James. — Son  of  Rev.  Francis,  was  horn  near 
Belfast,  Ireland,  1788,  and  came  to  America  with  his 
father,  1799,  who  had  become  indirectly  implicated  in 
the  "United  Irishmen's  Oath;"'  graduated  at  Dickinson, 
1808.  His  theological  studies  were  pursued  under  the 
learned  Dr.  John  Anderson,  and  the  Associate  Presby- 
tery licensed  him  Oct.  i,  1812.  The  Presbytery  of  the 
Carolinas  ordained  and  installed  him  pastor  of  Steele 
Creek,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  April  4th,  1814.  He 
was  moderator  of  the  Associate  Synod  at  Huntingdon, 
Pa.,  1816.  Short  as  was  his  ministry,  not  over  five  years, 
he  was  sincerely  mourned  and  affectionately  remembered. 
The  Master  called  him  up  higher  and  crowned  him  in  the 
dew  of  youth  and  early  morning  of  his  ministry,  Oct. 
28th,  18 18.  A  letter  bringing  this  sad  tidings  to  the  old 
home,  neither  father  nor  mother  betrayed  any  violent 
emotion.  In  a  calm  voice  his  father  said :  "Peggy,  James 
never  cost  us  a  tear  till  now.  'The  Lord  gave  and  the 
Lord  hath  taken  away ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.' 
Let  us  retire  and  pray  that  we  may  obtain  strength  to 
bear  with  Christian  fortitude  our  terrible  bereavement." 

Quay,  Aaron  Foster. — Son  of  Aaron  and  Catherine 
(Lessly)  Quay,  was  born  in  Chester  C.  H..  S.  C,  Jan.  28 
1826.  The  father's  death  occurring  before  this  birth,  his 
mother  began  the  hard  struggle  by  her  needle  to  train 
and  educate  her  boy.  In  1840,  he  began  preparation  for 
college  under  a  Methodist  minister,  assisted  by  Rev.  J.  L. 
McDaniel.  Entering  Erskine  Nov.  3rd.  1842,  he  was 
graduated  Sept.  i8th,  1846,  investing  in  brains  the  house 
and  lot  left  him  in  Chester  by  his  grandfather.    Teaching 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  321 

one  year  at  Pinckneyville,  S.  C,  he  entered  Erskine  The- 
ological Seminary  in  1847,  and  was  licensed  by  the  First 
at  Old  Providence,  Augusta  Co.,  Va.,  Sept.  15th,  1849. 

His  first  missionary  labors  were  in  Alabama  and 
Tenn.,  and  in  185 1  and  1852  he  supplied  Neely's  Creek 
and  Tirzah,  York  Co.,  S.  C.  He  was  ordained  at  Back 
Creek,  May  20,  1853.  Living  in  the  bounds  of  this  con- 
gregation he  soon  thereafter  became  a  great  sufferer 
from  bodily  infirmity,  but  spent  his  time  in  preaching 
and  teaching  as  he  was  able.  Fatal  consumption  closed 
his  heroic  endurance,  Nov.  20,  1857. 

On  the  7th  of  May,  1851,  he  was  happily  married  to 
Miss  Jane  C.  Howie,  of  Back  Creek  congregation.  Com- 
paratively short  was  that  united  life,  but  crowded  with 
sanctifying  influences!  "What  a  glorious  thing  it  is  to 
have  such  a  merciful  Redeemer!  Trust  in  the  Lord  and 
he  will  save  your  soul."  With  such  expressions  she 
passed  into  the  blessed  beyond,  Feb.    13th,   1859. 

Rev.  Henry  Quigg,  D.  D. — Was  born  in  the  North  of 
Ireland,  February  25,  1825  or  1826.  His  father's  name 
was  Henry  Quigg.  His  mother's  name  was  Miss  Nancy 
McLaughlin.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  place.  He  graduated  at  Er- 
skine College  in  1853.  He  joined  the  church  at  the  age 
of  16,  in  Ireland.  He  was  received  as  a  student  of  The- 
ology by  the  Second  Presbytery,  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  in 
1853.  Studied  Theology  at  Erskine  Seminary.  Was  li- 
censed in  1854  by  the  Second  Presbytery. 

His  first  work  was  in  Georgia.  He  was  ordained  by 
the  Georgia  Presbytery  in  1855.  -^^  preached  for  a  year 
at  White  Oak,  Coweta  County.  In  1854  he  began 
preaching  at  Hopewell  in  Newton  County.  He  was  in- 
stalled as  pastor  of  Hopewell  in  1855,  and  served  this 
church  until  1867.  Fle  married  Miss  Bertha  Elizabeth 
MoflFett  in  1854  in  Chester  County.  S.  C.  Her  father 
was  William  Mofifett,  her  mother  Margaret  Hemphill 
21 


322  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

Moffett.  She  was  the  mother  of  one  daughter,  Miss 
Lizzie  Quigg,  who  died  in  early  womanhood.  Mrs.  Quigg 
died  in  1855.  In  1857  Dr.  Quigg  married  Miss  Sarah 
Agnes  Craig. 

Dr.  Quigg  was  a  chaplain  in  the  Confederate  Army. 
He  is  a  preacher  of  marked  ability,  and  deep  spirituality, 
a  courtly  and  affable  gentleman.  Full  of  Irish  wit,  he 
is  an  interesting  figure  in  any  company.  He  left  Ireland 
when  a  youth,  and  sailed  as  an  emigrant  to  Quebec. 
There  he  was  principal  of  the  St.  Andrews  Institute  for 
two  years.  About  this  time  his  cousin,  Dr.  R.  C.  Grier, 
invited  him  to  come  South  and  finish  his  education.  In 
response  to  this  call  he  came  to  Erskine  College  in  1851. 
In  1867  he  joined  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  G.  A.  P., 
of  which  he  is  still  a  member.  He  received  the  degree  of 
D.  D.  from  Emory  College,  Georgia.  He  has  been  for 
forty  years  pastor  of  Smyrna  Church,  near  Conyers,  Ga., 
and  for  twenty  years  pastor  of  the  Conyers  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  resigned  this  pastorate  eight  years  ago, 
just  before  his  visit  to  Palestine.  Dr.  Quigg  is  a  ready 
writer.  His  contributions  to  current  literature,  accounts 
of  travel,  and  other  writings  are  valuable.  He  has  been 
an  extensive  traveler,  having  visited  England  and  Eu- 
rope. He  is  now  living  at  Conyers,  Georgia,  in  the  en- 
joyment of  an  hale  and  hearty  old  age. 

Rabb,  Horace — Is  a  son  of  John  Glazier  and  Nancy 
Kincaid  Watt  Rabb,  and  was  born  near  Little  River, 
Fairfield  Co..  S.  C,  May  27th,  1855. 

He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  after- 
wards attended  Mt.  Zion  Institute,  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Adolphus  Woodward.  In  1872  the  family  re- 
moved to  Due  West.  S.  C,  where  the  father  of  the  fam- 
ily died,  Feb.  26th,  1872.  Graduated  from  Erskine  Col- 
lege in  June,  1876,  and  entered  Erskine  Theological  Sem- 
inary, Oct.,  1877,  ^^  '^  student  in  connection  with  the  First 
A.   R.    Presbvterv.      He  was   licensed   at    Amitw    N.   C. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  323 

Dr.  E.  E.  Boyce  presiding. 
The  winter  of  1879  and 
'80  was  spent  in  the  U.  P. 
Seminary  at  Xenia,  O.  In 
the  spring-  of  1 880  he 
preached  in  Texas  under 
the  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions, visiting  vacancies  in 
the  counties  of  Freestone, 
Navarro.  Johnson,  Ander- 
son, Houston  and  Lamar, 
remaining  in  this  field  un- 
til the  Fall  of  1881.  Im- 
mediately after  the  meet- 
H.  RABB.  ,  ■  1    •         00       U 

mg  of   Synod  m    1881,  he 

took  u])  work  in  Richland  and  Beulah  congregations  in 
Western  Tennessee,  in  Memphis  Presbytery.  Accept- 
ing a  call  for  one-half  of  his  time,  he  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  of  Richland  congregation  Dec. 
8th.  1882.  Rev.  J.  H.  Strong  and  J.  G.  Miller  con- 
ducting the  services.  The  relation  proved  to  be  a  for- 
tunate one.  for  in  1886  the  congregation  employed  him 
all  his  time.  This  relation  was  dissolved  Sept.  27th. 
1895,  after  a  pastorate  of  13  years.  Removing  to  S.  C, 
he  was  installed  pastor  of  Bethel,  Providence  and  Head 
Spring.  Laurens  Co.,  in  Second  A.  R.  Presbytery,  Nov. 
20th,  1896.  This  relation  was  dissolved  Sept.  i8th,  1897. 
The  following  year  he  was  in  charge  of  the  church  at  Ab- 
beville, S.  C.  In  Dec,  1898,  he  took  charge  of  Doraville 
church,  DeKalb  Co.,  Ga.  During  the  summer  of  1899.  he 
with  Rev.  H.  B.  Blakely  held  a  meeting  at  Miller's  school 
house,  where  J.  C.  McElroy  and  others  had  been  conduct- 
ing a  Sunday  School,  which  resulted  in  the  organization 
of  Antioch  church,  with  a  membership  of  fifty-three 
persons. 

In  Dec,    1899.  he  removed  to  Mt.  Zion,  Mo.,  in  the 
Kentucky  Presbytery,  where  he  has  since  labored. 


324 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


Mr.  Rabb  was  married  Jan.  loth,  1883,  to  Miss  Mary 
Jefferson  Walker,  daughter  of  Samuel  Craig  and  Ann 
Shannon  Walker,  in  Louisville,  Ky.  Mrs.  Rabb  was 
born  June  25th,  i860,  near  Hanover,  Ind.  She  became 
the  mother  of  four  children,  three  of  whom  survive,  one 
son  and  two  daughters. 

Mr.  Rabb's  maternal  great  grandfather,  John  Glazier, 
was  a  Captain  in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  and  distin- 
guished himself  in  the  battle  of  Stono  River  and  Eutaw. 
His  body  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the  old  Brick 
Church.  Mr.  Rabb's  father  superintended  the  construc- 
tion of  the  stone  wall  around  the  cemetery  in  1846  or  '47 
—and  his  mother  caused  the  Brick  Church  to  be  repaired 
after  the  destruction  caused  by  Sherman's  army  in  1865. 

Mr.  Rabb's  preaching  is  plain  and  practical.  He  has 
given  a  good  deal  of  attention  to  work  among  the  young 
people.  He  has  shown  himself  to  be  an  earnest  and  zeal- 
ous minister  of  the  Word. 

At  a  called  meeting  of  the  Kentucky  A.  R.  P.  Presby- 
tery, Nov.  3rd.  1903,  he  asked  for  a  certificate  to  connect 
with  the  Indiana  Presbytery  of  the  M.  P.  Church.  Plis 
recjuest  was  granted,  and  he  is  now  pastor  of  Shiloh  M. 
P.   Church  at  May's,   Indiana. 

Rainey,  IVilliam  H. — The  family  emigrated  from  Ire- 
land and  located  in  eastern  Pennsylvania.  William  was 
sent  to  school,  and  graduated  in  Dickinson  College,  Pa., 
in  1798.  He  was  licensed  by  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of 
Pennsylvania,  Oct.  30,  1800.  He  was  sent  by  the  Synod, 
Oct.  2nd,  1802,  to  the  First  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas 
and  Georgia.  He  remained  there  one  year.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  went  to  Kentucky.  Oct.  5th,  1803,  he 
was  received  by  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Kentucky  on 
certificate  from  the  First  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and 
Georgia.  He  supplied  vacant  churches  in  Central  Ken- 
tucky. Oct.  30th,  1805,  he  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  Paint  Lick  and  Silver  Creek  (now  New  Hope) 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  325 


cono-re^ation.  This  relation  continued  until  April  17th, 
1817  when  he  demitted  his  charge.  For  several  years 
he  preached  for  the  vacancies  in  the  Presbytery,  nianily 
in  Bourbon,  Bath  and  Fleming  counties. 

The  subjects  of  intercommunion  and  also  slavery  agi- 
tated this  Presbvtery  deeply,  resulting  in  some  of  the 
ministers  changing  their  church  connections,  and  others 
moving  North  of  the  Ohio  River.  The  Bishop  and  Rankin 
difficulty  also  agitated  the  Presbytery.  In  addition,  the 
Presbytery  was  divided,  cutting  off  all  the  territory  North 
of  the  Ohio  River,  which  was  the  strongest  portion  of 
the  Presbytery,  into  a  new  Presbytery,  to  be  called  the 
Presbytery  of  Ohio,  the  division  to  take  efifect  Jan.  ist, 
181 7.'  The  result  was  the  Presbytery  soon  became  dis- 
organized. 

April  20th,  1820,  the  Synod  of  the  West  authorized 
Revs  W.  H.  Rainev  and  Samuel  P.rown  to  reorganize 
the  Presbvtery,  which  they  did  Aug.  30th,  1820.  These, 
with  Wm.  Baldridge  and  Hugh  Mayne,  constituted  the 
working  force  of  the  Presbytery  up  to  1835.  The  sub- 
ject of  slavery,  perhaps,  more  than  any  other  one  cause, 
(as  the  source  of  supply  of  ministers  was  from  the 
North),  resulted  in  the  disorganization  of  the  Presby- 
tery again.  Several  of  the  congregations  sought  connec- 
tion with  the  Presbytery  of  Chillicothe,  O..  as  also  did 

Mr.  Rainey. 

He  was  installed  pastor  of  Hinkston,  the  2nd  Thurs- 
day of  Dec.  1825,  and  continued  in  this  relation  until 
April,  1832.  He  continued  to  supply  the  churches  in 
Central  Kentucky  occasionally  up  to  1842,  when  the 
Presbytery  was  reorganized  in  connection  with  the  Synod 
of  the  South.  ^Tay  i8th.  1844,  he  again  connected  him- 
self with  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Kentucky,  at  a  meeting 
held  with  the  New  Hope  congregation.  He  was  clerk 
of  the  Presbytery  from  1820  to  1835,  and  in  1844  he  pre- 
sented to  the  Presbytery  the  original  records  from  Feb. 
nth,  1801,  to  that  date,  which  are  yet  in  the  possession 


326  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

of  the  Presbytery.  He  continued  occasionally  to  preach 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1850. 

Mr.  Rainey  married  Margaret  Fisher.  They  had  four 
sons  and  two  daughters,  none  of  whom  are  now  living  in 
the  bounds  of  any  of  the  A.  R.  P.  churches  in  Kentucky. 
The  family  lived  in  Harrison  County,  Ky.  Mr.  Rainey's 
father  and  President  U.  S.  Grant's  father  were  cousins. 

Mr.  Rainey  was  connected  .with  the  A.  R.  P.  church 
in  Kentucky  about  47  years,  a  much  longer  period  than 
any  other  minister  ever  connected  with  it. 

In  the  Report  of  the  Kentucky  Presbytery  to  Synod, 
Oct.  14th,  1850,  we  find  the  following  tribute :  "He  en- 
tered the  ministry  at  an  early  day  in  the  history  of  the 
Kentucky  Presbytery,  and  adhered  to  the  original  prin- 
ciples of  the  church  through  the  long  series  of  difficulties 
with  which  it  was  tried.  For  a  considerable  time  the 
congregations  were  almost  wdiolly  dependent  on  him 
for  supplies.  His  memory  is  embalmed  in  the  affections 
of  many,  both  in  the  church,  and  in  the  wide  circle  of  his 
acc|uaintances." 

Ralston,  Samuel  Shannon. — Was  the  son  of  James  and 
Esther  Shannon  Ralston,  and  was  born  near  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  May  nth,  1809.  His  memory  of  his  earlier  days 
was  remarkable.  In  his  autobiography  he  mentions  the 
earthquake  shocks  of  1811-12  as  distinctly  remembered. 
His  parents  were  poor  and  he  was  very  anxious  to  secure 
an  education.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  had  never 
owned  as  much  as  ten  dollars.  At  this  age  he  left  his 
father's  and  hired  as  a  day  laborer  for  nine  dollars  per 
month. 

He  spent  several  months  in  school  at  Lebanon,  Tenn., 
with  his  uncle,  Rev.  William  Ralston,  a  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  minister.  About  this  time  Rev.  Plenry  Bry- 
son,  D.  D.,  offered  him  free  board  and  tuition  in  his 
school  at  Viney  Grove,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.  This  he  gladly 
accepted  and  spent  three  years  under  Dr.  Bryson's  care. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  327 

During-  that  time  he  became  a  member  of  Bethel,  one 
of  Dr.  B.'s  churches.  Two  years  were  spent  in  college 
at  Jackson,  Tenn.  He  afterwards  spent  a  year  or  two  in 
Maury  Co.,  Tenn.,  studying  with  and  assisting  Rev. 
Robt.  Galloway  in  his  school.  He  now  began  studying 
Theology  under  Dr.  Bryson,  but  after  one  year,  went  to 
the  Seminary  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  and  completed  his 
course,  and  was  licensed  by  the  2nd  A.  R.  Presbytery, 
May  6th,  1837,  and  ordained  by  the  Tennessee  A.  R. 
Presbyter}-   in  June   1838. 

His  first  preaching  was  done  in  S.  C.  in  1837.  The 
winter  of  1837  was  spent  in  Alabama,  Mississippi  and 
West  Tennessee,  reaching  Middle  Tennsesee  in  1838. 
He  w^as  in  charge  of  Head  Spring,  Marshall  Co.,  and 
Zion  in  Lincoln  Co.,  until  1843.  ^vhen  he  removed  to  the 
bounds  of  the  Kentucky  Presbytery  and  accepted  a  call 
from  Mt.  Zion  and  Bufifalo,  Mo.,  and  was  installed  as 
pastor  over  these  churches  May  30th,  1845,  three-fourths 
of  his  time  at  ]\It.  Zion,  and  one-fourth  at  Bufifalo.  He 
demitted  the  Bufifalo  branch  of  his  charge  March  26th, 
1852,  though  he  continued  as  stated  supply.  Sept.  10 
1859,  he  asked  to  be  released  also  from  ]\It.  Zion,  though 
formal  action  was  not  taken  until  Sept.  8th,  i860.  At  this 
tinie  he  was  not  only  released  from  the  pastoral  relation, 
but  was  also  given  a  certificate  to  connect  with  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  removed  to  Le  Claire,  Iowa, 
where  he  died  Nov.  ist,  1890. 

Mr.  Ralston  was  moderator  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the 
South  in  1852,  and  delegate  from  the  M.  P.  church  to 
our  Synod  in  1873. 

He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  abilities,  and  was 
held  in  high  esteem  by  his  brethren. 

Mr.  Ralston  was  married  three  times.  His  first  wife 
was  Mary  Ann  Hill,  of  Maury  Co..  Temi.,  who  became 
the  mother  of  four  children,  one  of  whom  is  ]\Irs.  John 
G.  McCain,  of  Tdavillc,  Tenn.     She  died  Aug.  28th,  1845. 

He  was  married  June  6th,   1846.  to  .Sarah  Yeager,  of 


328  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

Kentucky,  who  died  April  lo,  1873.  He  was  married 
again  Dec.  30th,  1875,  to  Mrs.  Rebecca  McGarvey,  of 
Freeport,  111.,  who  is  still  living  in  Freeport,  111.  Neither 
of  the  two  last  had  any  children. 

Mr.  Ralston  published  "Ralston  on  the  Apocolypse" 
in  1858,  and  "Five  Arguments  for  the  Post  Millenial 
Theory"  in  1875. 

His  views  on  prophecy  being  somewhat  dififerent  from 
those  ordinarily  entertained,  he  hesitated  to  publish  his 
book.  While  in  this  state  of  mind,  he  and  his  wife  ear- 
nestly engaged  in  prayer  for  the  divine  guidance  and 
when  thus  engaged  there  was  a  considerable  shock  of 
earthquake.  He  accepted  this  as  the  divine  approval, 
especially  as  it  was  accompanied  with  a  feeling  of  such 
calm  assurance  as  he  had  never  felt  before. 

Ranson,  Alexander,  D.  D. — Was  born  in  Laurensville, 
S.  C,  Aug.  22nd,  1 82 1.  He  was  early  trained  in  rigid 
economy,  industry  and  morality.  Entering  Erskine  Col- 
lege in  1845,  without  means,  Dr.  George  W.  Pressly,  of 
Long  Cane,  S.  C,  unsolicited  advanced  the  means  for 
the  two  years  in  the  College,  and  the  same  time  in  the 
Seminary.  This  money  was  returned,  the  generous  Dr. 
accepting  no  interest.  Graduating  from  the  Literary 
department  in  1847,  and  the  theological  in  1849,  the 
Second  Presbytery  gave  him  license  Sept  22,  1849. 
From  this  time  till  about  Jan.  i,  1852,  he  taught  at 
King's  Creek  Church,  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C,  and  supplied 
that  pulpit.  A  short  time  being  spent  in  East  Tennessee 
and  Georgia,  he  passed  to  the  Kentucky  Presbvtery,  by 
which  he  was  ordained  May  7th,  1853,  where  he  spent 
some  four  or  five  }ears. 

The  united  congregations  of  Gilead  and  Prosperity, 
Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  called  him  and  his  installation 
took  place  Dec.  11,  1857.  Very  soon  after  this  he  be- 
gan preaching  at  Craighead  stand,  a  point  near  Ilun- 
tersville,    N.   C.      The   place   was   removed   nearer  town 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  329 

and  a  church  org^anized  Sept.,  1874.  He  was  pubHc 
spirited.  The  Mecklenburg-  Co.  Bible  Society  found  in 
him  a  true  and  tried  friend  and  an  efficient  member. 
Naturally  of  a  practical  cast  of  mind,  his  influence  on 
farming,  economic  questions  and  settlement  of  difficul- 
ties was  very  great,  especially  in  upper  Mecklenburg. 
Practical  and  far  seeing,  he  worked  steadily  at  his  object 
and  gave  everything  such  a  touch  of  common  sense  as  to 
recommend  it. 

His  church  recognized  his  ripe  scholarship  and  his 
ability  as  a  Bible  exegete  and  placed  him  on  the  commit- 
tee to  revise  the  Psalms  and  constituted  him  Professor  of 
Sabbath  School  Literature.  He  was  honored  in  1877 
with  the  title  of  D.  D.  from  his  alma  mater.  As  a  safe, 
learned  and  conservative  expounder  of  God's  word  he 
had  few  equals. 

His  reading  was  extensive,  considering  his  opportunity 
for  books.     But  what  he  read  was  at  his  command. 

Always  a  welcome  and  helpful  contributor  to  secular 
and  religious  papers,  this  opportunity  especially  wdien 
laid  aside  was  embraced. 

As  a  preacher  he  was  not  eloquent  in  fluency  and  flow 
of  language.  But  there  was  the  eloquence  of  clear  illus- 
tration, the  power  of  lucid  explanation  and  the  beauty 
of  home  application. 

He  had  strong  faith  and  was  a  marvel  of  patience. 
With  him,  God's  time  was  the  best  time.  During  the 
four  years  struggle,  '6t  to  '65,  he  was  faithful  in  burying 
the  dead,  comforting  the  widow  and  orphan. 

There  was  martvr's  blood  in  this  man.  Wise  in  coun- 
sel, mild  in  manner,  broad  minded  in  his  views,  it  was 
never  in  his  mind  to  compromise  his  religious  convic- 
tions. 

His  charge  was  demitted  Sept.  3rd.  1877.  After  a  min- 
istry of  thirty-three  years,  he  approached  death  with  the 
same  calm,  conscious  faith,  saying.  "I  know  I  will  be 
saved  for  I  know  I  believe."     He  died  Aug.  12,  1880. 


330 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


Nov.  15th,  1853,  )*Iiss  Sarah  Shannon,  of  Nicholas  Co., 
Ky.,  became  his  Hfe  companion.  She  was  a  lady  of  good 
education,  of  fine  conversational  powers,  combined  with 
tact,  prudence  and  piety. 

Sharing  the  cares  and  sacrifices  for  the  gospel's  sake 
with  her  patient  and  godly  companion,  heirs  together  of 
the  grace  of  life,  thev  now  wear  the  crown. 


A.     J.     RAXSON. 


Raiison,  Rev.  Arthur 
Jones. — Son  of  John  J.  and 
Rose  Elizabeth  ( Hunter) 
Ranson,  was  born  at 
Huntersville,  N.  C,  Aug. 
26,  1873.  When  ten  years 
old,  joined  Huntersville 
church.  He  attended  Hun- 
tersville High  School  and 
Erskine  College,  graduat- 
ing in  1893.  He  entered 
I^rskine  Theological  Sem- 
inary that  fall,  and  gradu- 
ated in  1895.  He  after- 
wards spent  one  year  in  the 
Seminary  at  Princeton,  N.  J.  The  First  Presbytery  li- 
censed him  at  Back  Creek,  April  8,  1895.  He  took  up 
work  as  stated  supply  of  Prosperity  and  Blanche,  Tenn., 
July  I.  1895,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of 
these  churches,  Nov.  10,  1895.  This  happy  relation  was 
interrupted,  when  by  the  appointment  of  Synod  he  left 
that  field,  Nov.  17,  1901,  to  take  charge  of  the  Mission 
church  in  Corsicana,  Texas.  Mr.  Ranson  was  happily 
married  to  Miss  Julia  E.  Cowan,  at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
June  27,,  1897.  She  was  a  daughter  of  W.  T.  and  Mary 
(Brownlee)  Cowan,  and  a  graduate  of  the  Due  West 
Female  College  in  the  class  of  1895.  She  died  Aug.  8, 
1902,  leaving  one  child. 

Mr.  Ranson  is  still  in  charge  of  the  church  at  Corsi- 
cana, and  his  labors  arc  meeting  with  great  acceptance. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


331 


Ranson,  Edgar  Alexander. — Rev.  E.  A.  Ranson  is  the 
son  of  John  J.  Ranson  and  EHzabeth  Rose  Hunter,  and 
was  born  at  Huntersville,  N.  C,  June  3rd,  1876.  At  the 
age  of  fifteen,  he  lost  an  arm  in  an  accident.  He  was 
prepared  for  college  at  the  Huntersville  High  School, 
and  graduated  at  Erskine  College.  He  was  received  as  a 
student  of  theology  by  the  First  Presbytery  at  Ebenezer, 
N.  C,  May  7th,  1901,  and  was  licensed  at  King's  3^Ioun- 
tain,  X.  C,  May  7th,  1902.  He  attended  the  Seminary, 
first  at  Princeton,  then  at  Erskine,  and  took  a  post  grad- 
uate course  at  Allegheny  U.  P.  Seminary. 


Reid,  Daniei  Washing- 
ton.— Was  born  in  Xew- 
berr\-  District,  S.  C,  Oct. 
10th,  1826.  His  father  was 
Daniel  Reid  and  his  mother 
Miss  Jane  Fleming.  His 
educational  opportunities 
were  fairly  good.  He 
graduated  from  Erskine 
College  in  1847.  He  joined 
the  church  at  Cannon 
Creek,  in  1849.  ^^  ^^'^^ 
received  as  a  student  of 
Theology  in  1867,  by  the 
Second  Presbytery.  He 
studied  Theology  at  Due  West.  He  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Second  Presbytery  at  Generostee,  1868. 
He  was  ordained  by  the  Memphis  Presbytery,  at  Rich- 
land Church.  Shelby  Co.,  Tenn. 

He  preached  at  Hopewell,  Xewton  Co.,  Ga.,  as  stated 
supply  for  two  years.  He  also  served  the  church  at 
Richland,  Tcnn.,  until  called  as  their  pastor.  He  was 
there  eight  years.  On  Oct.  16th,  1849,  •'"'  Abbeville  Co., 
S.  C,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Amanda  Bradley.  Her 
parents  were  Archibald  and   Sarah  Bradley.      She  was 


D.     W.    REID. 


2>2>2 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


born  Oct.  21st,  1829,  in  Long-  Cane.  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C. 
They  had  three  children.  She  died  March  30th.  1895. 
Soon  after  his  graduation,  Dr.  Reid  began  the  study  of 
medicine.  He  graduated  in  Eclectic  School  of  Medicine 
in  the  year  1849.  From  then  until  1857  he  practiced 
medicine  successfully  in  South  Carolina.  In  that  year 
he  removed  to  Georgia  and  continued  to  practice  his 
profession  until  after  the  war,  when  he  began  the  study 
of  Theology. 


Rcid,  Samuel  JVatsoii. — 
His  parents  were  Samuel 
Watson  and  Jane  Pressly 
Reid.  He  was  born  Sept. 
9th,  1867,  in  Steel  Creek, 
N.  C,  Mecklenburg  Co. 
His  mother  was  a  daugh- 
of  Rev.  James  P.  Pressly, 
D.  D.,  of  Due  West,  S.  C. 

As  a  child,  he  was  un- 
usually thoughtful  and 
had  a  habit  of  taking  ev- 
erything to  God  in  prayer, 
believing  that  God  would 
hear  and  answer  his  pray- 
ers. His  early  education  was  obtained  under  Prof.  H.  K. 
Reid,  at  Ebenezer,  N.  C,  and  A.  G.  Kirkpatrick,  at 
Sharon,  N.  C,  and  J.  P.  Reid,  at  various  places,  Pine- 
ville,  Steel  Creek  and  Gastonia,  N.  C.  He  graduated  at 
Erskine  College  July  8th,  1891,  and  was  received  as  a 
student  of  Theology  by  the  First  A.  R.  Presbytery,  Oct. 
2nd,  i8(;i,  and  entered  Erskine  Theological  Seminary. 
He  was  licensed  by  the  First  A.  R.  Presbytery,  April 
5th,  1893,  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  Rev.  A.  G.  Kirkpatrick, 
moderator. 

He  was  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  of  Woodrufif, 
S.  C,  July  15th,    1893,  and  Welford,  S.  C,  Aug.  26th, 


S.      W.     REID. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  333 

1893,  by  commissioners  appointed  by  the  2nd.  A.  R. 
Presbytery.  This  pastorate  continued  until  May,  1897, 
when  it  was  dissolved  in  order  that  he  might  take  charge 
of  Ebenezer  and  Wren's  congregations,  Ga.  His  work 
in  Ga.  continued  until  Sept.  I3tli,  1898.  Having  re- 
ceived a  call  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  he  was  transferred  to  the 
Kentucky  Presbytery,  and  installed  as  pastor  Dec.  31st, 
1898,  Rev.  L.  I.  Echols,  of  the  Kentucky  Presbytery  and 
Dr.  W.  M.  Grier,  of  the  2nd  Presbytery,  officiating  in  the 
installation  service. 

He  was  appointed  Financial  Agent  and  Superintend- 
ent of  Missions  for  the  Presbytery  in  May,  1899,  which 
position  he  still  fills  with  zeal  and  fidelity.  He  has  been 
active  in  the  work  of  the  Young  People's  Christian 
Union,  co-operating  with  the  United  Presbyterians  and 
has  attended  several  of  the  General  Conventions. 

Through  his  labors,  the  church  in  Louisville  has  been 
making  constant  progress,  and  at  the  present  rate  of 
growth  bids  fair  soon  to  be  self-sustaining. 

Mr.  Reid  is  married.  He  is  an  earnest,  zealous,  conse- 
crated minister  of  the  Word  and  is  highly  esteemed  in 
love  for  his  work's  sake. 

Renzvick,  John,  Sr. — This  father  of  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church  was  born  in  Ireland,  of  Scottish  ances- 
try, likely  in  the  year  1735,  and  in  County  Antrim.  In 
1770.  he  emigrated  from  the  mother  country  with  a  large 
portion  of  his  congregation,  and  settled  in  Newberry 
County,  South  Carolina. 

A  part  of  his  congregation  had  preceded  him,  in  the 
year  1767,  and  still  another  portion  followed  him,  in  the 
year  1772.  These  were  Anti-Burghers,  and  Rev.  John 
Ren  wick  was  the  first  Associate  Reformed  preacher  in 
Newberry  County.  His  son.  Rev.  John  Renwick,  Jr., 
was  born  December  31st,  1770,  at  sea,  on  the  passage 
over.  These  people  with  their  pastor,  founde)d  the 
churches  of  King's  Creek  and  Cannon  Creek,  and  out 


334  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

of  these  grew  the  congregations  of  Prosperity  and  Head 
Spring.  These  are  all  the  facts  we  have  been  able  to 
gather  in  the  life  of  Rev.  John  Renwick,  Sr.  He  died 
August  20th,  1775,  aged  40. 

Rcnzvick,  John,  Jr. — This  minister  w^as  born  at  sea, 
December  31st,  1770,  while  his  father  and  many  of  his 
parishioners  from  Ireland  were  making  their  voyage  to 
Newberry  Co.,  S.  C. 

He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  Sec- 
ond Presbytery,  March,  1805,  and  studied  under  Rev. 
Alexander  Porter.  He  was  elected  clerk  of  Second  Pres- 
bytery, April  1st,  1806,  before  licensure,  and  "on  prom- 
ising fidelity  took  his  place."  He  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Gilder's  Creek,  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C, 
June  28th,  1809.  at  the  same  time  supplying  Warrior's 
Creek  (now  Bethel),  Laurens  Co., until  March  loth,  1812, 
when  he  became  pastor  of  this  church  also.  He  demitted 
Gilder's  Creek,  March  ist,  1814,  and  gave  up  Warrior's 
Creek,  November  nth,  1825.  He  continued  to  preach 
until  a  few  years  before  his  death,  which  occurred  about 
the  close  of  the  year  1836.  He  was  moderator  of  Synod 
in  1826.  His  wife  was  the  widow  of  Rev.  David  Both- 
well,  of  Georgia. 

Robinson,  David  Prcssly. — Born  in  Long  Cane,  Ab- 
beville Co.,  S.  C,  1819,  a  graduate  of  Erskine  College, 
1843,  of  her  divinity  department  two  years  later,  and  a 
licentiate  of  the  Second  Presbytery,  Mar.  29th,  1845. 
Declining  a  call  in  1848  from  Bethel  and  Ebenezer.  Ga., 
he  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  Tirzah.  Lhiion 
Co.,  N.  C,  and  Shiloh,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  Nov.  3rd, 
1848.  Margaret,  daughter  of  Capt.  Wm.  Bonner,  of 
Wilcox  Co.,  Ala.,  linked  her  life  to  this  gifted  licentiate. 
A  bride  of  three  months,  this  beautiful  but  fragile  flower 
waited  Aug.  4,  1846.  With  amiable  temper  and  gentle 
manners,  she  won  favor  and  admiration. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  335 

His  second  marriage,  May  24,  1849,  ^^'^s  to  jNIiss 
Margarett,  daughter  of  Robt.  Brice,  Esq.,  of  Fairfield 
Co.,  S.  C.  She  was  a  good  woman,  a  devoted  mother  and 
wife.  Two  of  her  sons,  Gardiner  Springs  and  Lawrence 
Henry,  became  ministers.     She  died  Jan.  31,  1868. 

In  the  fall  of  1867  he  made  complaint  of  the  conduct 
of  two  elders  in  Shiloh,  and  later  that  congregation  de- 
siring the  relation  dissolved,  a  commission  was  ap- 
pointed "to  adjudicate  the  difficulties  there  existing." 
This  committee  recommended  the  dissolution  of  the  pas- 
toral relation,  which  was  done  Sept.  23,  1868,  the  congre- 
gation being  required  to  pay  balance  of  salary.  These 
arrearages  and  declaring  the  pulpit  vacant  led  to  strained 
relations  between  him  and  some  members  of  his  Pres- 
bytery. 

"Partiality,  tyranny  and  usurpation"  being  his  com- 
plaint against  the  Presbytery,  this  court  began  a  formal 
process  at  Ebenezer,  N.  C,  July  16,  1873.  When  every- 
thing was  ready  for  trial,  Rev.  Robinson  requested  and 
Presbytery  agreed  to  submit  this  whole  matter  to  a 
Board  of  Arbitrators,  two  of  whom  should  be  selected 
by  himself,  two  by  the  prosecuting  court,  the  four  to  se- 
lect a  fifth,  all  of  them  to  be  members  of  the  A.  R.  P. 
church  outside  the  Presbytery,  and  their  decision  final. 
This  Arbitration  Board  met  at  New  Hope  Church,  Fair- 
field Co.,  S.  C,  Dec.  3rd,  1873,  and  unanimously  sus- 
tained the  charge  of  the  First  Presbytery,  "making  due 
allowance  for  peculiar  circumstances  and  temperament  of 
Mr.  Robinson,  some  palliation  of  the  offence  should  be 
allowed." 

D.  G.   Phillips. 
D.    F.    Haddon, 
H.  T.  Sloan, 
Joseph  Caldwell, 
J.  L.  Miller. 
Making  exception  to  the  construction  of  this   Board, 
which  the  Presbytery  refused  to  entertain,  and  in  April, 


336  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

1874,  giving  verbal  notice  of  his  Avithdrawl,  this  judica- 
tory erased  his  name  Sept.  8,   1874. 

He  was  in  his  best  days  a  fine  preacher,  a  clear,  tren- 
chant and  logical  writer,  a  man  of  the  most  remarkable 
nerve  and  coolness.  A  bright  future  was  largely  clouded, 
a  prospective  usefulness  partly  hindered,  pure  Christian 
joy  largely  interrupted  because  out  of  tune  "in  submis- 
sion in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  to  the  admonitions  of  the 
brethren  of  this  Presbytery." 

He  joined  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  and  for 
a  niunber  of  years  carried  through  all  our  courts  the 
same  unhappy  litigation. 

After  a  stormy  life,  he  left  evidence  that  he  entered 
peacefully  the  haven  of  rest,   Nov.,   1902. 

Robinson,  Hugh  Harris. — A  son  of  Ezekiel  and 
Eleanor  Harris  Robinson,  was  born  March  i,  1824,  in 
the  bounds  of  Sugar  Creek,  Mecklenburgh  Co.,  N.  C. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  two  years  old,  leaving  him 
to  be  reared  by  a  pious  and  affectionate  mother.  She  re- 
moved to  Steele  Creek  in  1828,  and  in  1840  went  to  the 
Coddle  Creek  congregation.  He  prosecuted  his  studies 
in  the  common  schools  and  at  Union  Academy,  and 
entered  the  Sophomore  class  in  Erskine  College,  in  Nov., 
1844,  and  graduated  September  15,  1847.  He  had  joined 
the  Associate  Reformed  Church  at  Coddle  Creek  in  1840. 

He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  First 
Presbytery  at  North  Bethany,  Mecklenburgh  Co.,  N.  C, 
April  17,  1848,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by  that 
Presbytery  at  Old  Providence,  Augusta  Co.,  Va.  He 
studied  theology  at  Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  and 
after  licensure  missionated  extensively  in  Georgia,  Ala- 
bama, Mississippi,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  He  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  Ebenezer  in  Tippah  Co.,  and 
Shiloh  in  Lafayette  Co.,  Miss.,  185 1,  and  having  been 
transferred  to  the  Alabama  Presbytery  he  was  ordained 
in  the  spring  of  1852  at  Starkville,  Miss.     He  was  in- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  337 

stalled  at  Ebenezer  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Young,  July  24,  1852, 
and  at  Shiloh  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Sloan,  and  he  continued  to 
minister  to  Ebenezer  until  his  death  in  1881.  He  de- 
mitted  his  Shiloh  charge  in  1856. 

He  married  Miss  Alary  Adaline  Ellis  of  Due  West, 
S.  C,  Oct.  21,  185 1  She  was  a  daughter  of  John 
Lindsay  and  Mahala  Dodson  Ellis,  and  was  born  March 
4,  1827.  She  was  Uie  mother  of  eight  children,  seven  of 
whom  survive  to  this  day.  Of  them  John  E.  is  a  prac- 
ticing physician  at  Bethany,  Miss.,  and  Ralph  E.  and 
Hugh  H.  are  prominent  educators  in  the  State  of 
Tennessee. 

He  was  acting  chaplain  of  the  3rd  Mississippi  Regi- 
ment and  was  captured  at  Fort  Donelson  in  February, 
1862,  and  was  kept  a  prisoner  of  war  mostly  at  John- 
son's Island.  He  came  near  dying  there  and  was  released 
and  stopped  over  in  central  Kentucky  and  returned  to 
his  home  in  September,  1862.  His  death  was  a  melan- 
choly providence.  In  returning  from  visiting  a  sick 
little  child  the  horse  he  was  riding  became  frightened 
by  the  barking  of  a  dog  and  threw  him,  injuring  him  so 
seriously  that  after  three  days  of  great  suffering  he  died. 
May  19,  1881.  His  last  words  were  "Lord  Jesus,  receive 
my  spirit." 

Mr.  Robinson  was  a  man  of  great  force  of  character, 
a  close  student  and  an  excellent  pastor.  Faithful  in 
pulpit  and  pastoral  visitation,  he  was  greatly  beloved 
throughout  the  whole  community.  His  visits  were  pecu- 
liarly comforting  and  helpful  to  the  sick  and  afflicted,  and 
nnich  of  ministerial  labor  was  spent  in  the  homes  of 
his  people.  His  Presbytery  pays  tribute  to  his  worth  as 
"a  prince  and  great  man  in  Israel — wise  in  counsel  and 
efficient  in  action — as  pastor,  manifesting  special  care  in 
visiting  sick  and  comforting  the  afflicted.  As  a  citizen, 
modest,  exemplary,  exhibiting  at  all  times  the  beauty  of 
holiness  and  the  excellency  of  undefiled  religion." 

He  was  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  1866,  which  met 
22 


338 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


at  Prosperity,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.  He  was  the  stated 
clerk  of  the  Memphis  Presbytery  from  1856  to  1873. 
His  body  sleeps  in  the  church-yard  at  Ebenezer  hard  by 
the  church  around  which  centered  his  ministerial  labors 
for  nearly  30  years. 


R.     L.     KDBINSON. 


Robinson,  Richard  Lee. 
— Son  of  Nathaniel  Press- 
ly  Robinson  and  Agnes 
l^lizabeth  Lathan,  was 
born  Oct.  31,  1872,  in  Lan- 
caster, S.  C.  He  attended 
the  country  schools  until 
his  fourteenth  year,  the  last 
two  of  which  he  studied 
under  Rev.  W.  \.  M. 
Plaxco.  He  was  prepared 
for  college  by  Prof.  J.  G. 
Baird,  at  Franklin  Acad- 
emy, Lancaster,  S.  C.  En- 
tering Erskine  College,  Due 
West,  S.  C,  in  1889,  he  was  graduated  from  that  insti- 
tution in  June,  1892.  He  made  a  public  profession  of  his 
faith  at  Shiloh  church,  Lancaster,  S.  C,  in  his  twelfth 
year,  during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco. 
Immediately  after  graduation,  he  taught  school  one  year 
at  McConnellsville,  S.  C.  In  August,  1893,  he  took 
charge  of  the  Oak  Hill  School,  at  Oak  Hill,  Wilcox  Co., 
Ala.,  in  which  he  taught  for  three  years.  It  was  during 
this  period  that  he  reached  the  conviction  (November 
loth,  1895)  that  he  should  give  himself  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  and  in  Sept.,  1896,  he  entered  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary,  where  he  spent  three  years,  grad- 
uating in  May,  1899. 

In  May,  1898,  he  was  received  as  a  student  of  theol- 
ogy by  the  First  Presbytery  and  licensed  May  15,  1898, 
at   Charlotte,   N.   C.      During  this   summer  he   supplied 


SKETCHES     OF     MIXISTEltS. 


339 


the  churches  at  Louisville,  Hinkston  and  Ebenezer,  Ky. 
returning  to  Princeton  Seminary  in  the  fall.  In  connec- 
tion with  his  theological  studies  he  took  post-graduate 
work  in  Princeton  University  under  Profs.  jMark  Bald- 
win, Bliss  Perry  and  Paul  \'an  Dyke.  .\.lso  extra 
curriculum  studies  in  the  Seminary  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  Drs.  George  T.  Purves  and  G.  \'as. 

Immediatel}'  on  completing  his  studies  in  the  Seminary 
he  began  work  at  Camden,  Ala.  He  was  ordained  by 
the  First  Presbytery  at  Lancaster,  S.  C..  Xov.  lo,  1899, 
and  installed  pastor  of  the  church  at  Camden,  Ala.,  by 
Rev.  H.  "SI.  Henry,  D.  D.,  of  the  Tennessee  and  Ala- 
bama Presbytery  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  Xovember, 
1900,  and  still  labors  in  that  field.     He  is  unmarried. 


Rogers,  Arthur  Siiiall. 
Rev.  A.  S.  Rogers  is  the 
son  of  the  late  Atmar  Rog- 
ers and  Mary  J.  Craw- 
lord,  and  was  born  in 
Xewberry,  S.  C,  March 
nth,  1869.  He  attended 
the  city  schools  in  Xew- 
berry until  he  was  twelve 
}ears  old,  and  was  prepared 
for  college  at  the  Hunters- 
ville  High  School,  and 
graduated  at  Erskine  Col- 
lege in  1894.  He  was  re- 
ceived as  a  student  of 
theology  by  the  First  Presbytery.  April  7th,  1895,  at  a 
meeting  at  Back  Creek,  X.  C. 

His  theological  course  was  taken  at  Erskine  Seminary, 
and  afterwards  a  short  course  at  the  Moody  Bible  In- 
stitute in  Chicago.  He  was  licensed  by  the  first  Pres- 
bytery at  Gastonia.  X.  C,  April  7th.  1896,  and  was 
ordained  by  the  same  Presbytery  April  5th.    1807.      Iin- 


KCJGERS. 


340  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

mediately  after  his  licensure  Mr.  Rogers  was  sent  by 
the  Board  of  Home  Missions  to  take  charge  of  the 
mission  in  Rock  Hill,  S.  C,  for  five  years.  Under  the 
direction  of  the  Board  he  canvassed  the  Synod  for  funds 
to  erect  a  church  building  in  Rock  Hill.  Largely  owing 
to  his  zeal  and  energy,  and  under  his  wise  administration, 
we  ncAv  have  an  elegant  church  building  and  a  flourish- 
ing congregation  in  the  city  of  Rock  Hill.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  of  five  years  under  the  appointment  of 
the  Board,  he  was  called  as  pastor  by  the  congregation, 
and  was  installed  Dec.  19th,  1901.  and  still  continues 
pastor  there. 

Rodgcrs,  John,  M.  D.—Oi  Scottish  birth,  1745,  a 
graduate  of  St.  Andrews'  Universitv,  with  a  full  course 
of  medicine  added,  the  Associated  Synod  of  Edinburg 
after  his  licensure  commissioned  him  to  the  wilds  of 
America,  1770. 

Ordained  that  summer  he  sailed  in  the  fall.  Before 
leaving  his  native  soil  he  married,  Oct.  i,  1770,  Miss 
Elizabeth  Blackwood  of  gentle  and  wealthy  parentage. 
April  4th,  1772,  he  became  pastor  of  Big  Spring  and 
connections,  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.  For  error  in  doctrine 
he  was  deposed  on  the  ninth  anniversary  of  his  installa- 
tion. This  act  was  not  unanimous  and  the  next  year 
his  friends  being  in  the  majority  because  Revs.  Marshall 
and  Clarkson  declined  entering  the  union  which  formed 
the  A.  R.  Synod,  he  was  restored.  This  terminated  his 
connection  with  Big  Spring.  Dr.  J.  B.  Scouller  says : 
'Tt  is  rather  difficult  to  believe  that  Mr.  Rodgers  was 
very  much  of  an  errorist  in  substance  and  reality,  when 
men  of  such  undoubted  orthodoxy  as  Murray,  Smith  and 
Logan  refused  to  condemn  him."  His  first  wife  died  in 
Pennsylvania.  His  second  wife  was  Miss  Isabella 
Ireland  of  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa. 

In  1783  he  was  installed  pastor  of  Old  Providence  and 
Timber  Ridge,  Va.,  thus  constituting  the  oldest  pastorate 
in  the  Southern  Synod. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  341 

Charges  were  preferred  against  him  in  1789  affecting 
his  ministerial  standino-  and  usefuhiess.  Revs.  Ale.\'- 
andcr  Dobbins,  John  Boyse  and  John  Smith  were  sent 
with  full  powers  to  investigate  and  report.  On  the 
strength  of  this  Synod,  j\Iay  19th,  1790,  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia  suspended  him  from  the  office  of  the  min- 
istry. He  never  afterwards  sought  re-admission.  Having 
received  a  thorough  medical  education  he  turned  his 
attention  to  this  and  became  a  successful  practitioner. 
About  the  year  1803  he  donated  fifty-five  volumes  ot 
Calvinistic  Theology  in  Latin  and  Hebrew  to  \\'ashing- 
ton  College,  Lexington,  Va.  It  was  the  first  donation 
during  the  first  seventy  years  of  her  existence. 

Dr.  Rodgers  continued  the  practice  of  medicine  till 
his  death  in  1812  on  his  farm  near  Timber  Ridge,  \'a. 

Rogers,  James. — Rev.  James  Rogers  was  born  in 
County  ]\Ionaghan,  Ireland,  Aug.  2nd,  1768.  He  grad- 
uated at  Glasgow  L^niversity,  and  studied  theology  two 
terms  with  Dr.  Lawson,  at  Selkirk,  Scotland,  and  was  li- 
censed Sept.  8th,  1789,  that  he  might  go  to  South  Caro- 
lina with  a  brother  and  sister. 

He  landed  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  Dec.  25th,  1789,  and 
soon  after  went  to  Fairfield  and  Abbeville  Districts.  He 
was  present  at  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery  of  the 
Carolinas  and  Georgia  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church.  At  Long  Cane.  Feb.  24th,  1790,  and  officiated 
as  clerk. 

He  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Kings  Creek  and 
Cannon's  Creek,  in  Xcwberry  Co.,  and  of  Ebenezer, 
now  called  the  Brick  Church,  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  and 
was  ordained  and  installed  Feb.  23rd,  1791.  About  1815 
Mr.  Rogers  resigned  his  Xewberry  Churches,  but  con- 
tinued to  be  pastor  of  Ebenezer  until  Ins  death.  August 
2 1st,   1830. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  was 
organized   at    Mr.   Rogers'   church.    Ebenezer.    May  9th. 


342 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


1803,  and  Mr.  Rogers  was  the  Moderator  of  the  meeting. 
He  was  also  Moderator  in  1809,  1814,  1817  and  1821. 

Early  in  his  ministry  he  founded  the  Monticello  Aca- 
demy, near  Ebenezer,  and  presided  over  it  for  more  than 
twenty-five  years.  This  Academy  was  somewhat  famous 
in  its  day,  and  man^^  men  who  afterwards  became  famous 
in  the  South  obtained  the  rudiments  of  an  education  in 
this  school. 

Dr.  Lathan,  in  his  "History  of  the  A.  R.  Church," 
says :  "James  Rogers  was  a  man  of  fine  mental  attain- 
ments and  cultivated  taste." 

Dr.  Schanler  says :  "He  was  decidedly  attractive 
and  popular  as  a  preacher,  and  equally  so  as  a  man  in 
his  private  intercourse." 

Mr.  Rogers  was  married  three  times,  first  to  Jane 
Wilson  Murray,  who  died  July  30th,  1803,  leaving  one 
child,  John  Rogers.  His  second  wife  was  Celia  Davis, 
who  died  Sept.  21st,  1818.  The  third  wife  was  Jane 
Adger,  daughter  of  Wm.  Adger  of  White  Oak,   S.   C. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Rogers  his  widow  married  Mr. 
Scott  of  Columbia,  S.  C,  by  whom  she  had  one  son, 
but  ihev  are  all  now  dead. 


R.     A.    ROSS,    D.     D. 


Ross,  Robert  Annstroiig, 
D.  D. — Was  born  in  Ca- 
barrus Co.,  N.  C,  near 
Coddle  Creek  church,  Oct. 
9,  181 7.  His  preparation 
for  college  was  largely  at 
Union  Academy,  Meck- 
lenburg Co.,  N.  C,  under 
Dr.  R.  C.  Grier.  While  a 
pupil,  a  kind  providence 
saved  him  from  an  awful 
tragedy.  July  4,  1837,  was 
being  patriotically  ob- 
served    at     People's     Old 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  343 

Store,  in  the  lower  part  of  Mecklenburg-  Co.  Not  sat- 
isfie-vl  with  ordinary  explosives,  the  cannon  was  filled 
with  mud.  R.  A.  Ross  had  been  touching  it  off.  Josiah 
Boyce,  a  bright  student  in  preparation  for  the  ministry^ 
took  the  match.  Ross  stepped  back.  There  was  a  terri- 
ble explosion  by  the  bursting'  of  the  cannon.  A  great 
wedge  passed  over  Ross's  head  and  ploughed  the  field. 
Josiah  Boyce  and  Andy  Patton  were  killed. 

''Now,  truly  here  we  stand  in  awe  before  the  \visdom 
and  foreordination  that  shapes  our  ends.  That  fifty 
years  pastorate  was  written  on  the  invisible  canvas  with 
which  angels  tented  Patton's  old  field  that  day  and  they 
read  their  charge :  Bear  him  up  in  your  hands  :  take 
that  match  out  of  his  hands ;  he  is  the  man  of  destiny. 
Let  the  other  fall  and  his  life  go  out."  Dr.  E.  E.  Boyce 
at  semi-centennial  of  his  pastorate.  Spending  two  years 
he  graduated  at  Jefferson,  Pa.,  1840.  and  after  a  course 
of  divinity  under  Dr.  James  Boyce  and  at  Erskine.  was 
licensed  by  the  First  Presbyter}^  Nov.  30,  1842.  ordained 
by  same  and  installed  pastor  of  Sharon.  Smyrna  and 
Olivet,  York  Co..  S.  C,  Dec.  6,  1843.  At  "Briar  Patch" 
on  Queen's  Road,  a  great  crowd  usually  spent  the  Sab- 
bath playing  "shinncy"  and  other  desecrating  games. 
With  the  leaders  he  reasoned  and  induced  them  to  aban- 
don it.  Thus  convincing  their  will  and  appealing 
to  their  better  nature  many  of  them  were  his  fast  friends 
through  life. 

He  threw  all  the  ardor  of  his  giant  mind  and  strong 
character  into  preaching  and  pastoral  work,  taking  an 
active  part  in  whatever  questions  came  up  in  Presbytery 
or  Synod,  being  Moderator  of  the  latter  185 1  and  1872, 

July  28.  1846.  he  married  Miss  Nancy  E.  Kennedy. 
This  tie  being  sundered  by  death  he  contracted  a  second 
marriage  with  Miss  Naomi  Caldwell.  September.  1854. 
Her  death  occurred  1891. 

Smyrna  being  demitted  April  20.  1852,  and  Revs.  J. 
R.  Castles  and  M.  Gates  serving  as  pastors,  he  was  re- 


344 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


installed  May  5,  1871.  His  text  next  Sabbath  was:  "I 
ask  therefore  for  what  intent  ye  have  sent  for  me?" 
Olivet  was  disorganized  some  time  after  his  ministry 
began  and  Smyrna  was  again  demitted  Sept.  29,  1890. 
Washing-ton  and  Jefiferson  as  also  Erskine  conferred 
D.  D.  in  1874.  Synod  commissioned  Drs.  James  Boyce, 
R.  A.  Ross,  J.  I.  Bonner,  Prof.  J.  P.  Kennedy  and  Gen. 
P.  H.  Bradley  to  meet  a  similar  committee  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  on  co-operative  missions  and  union. 
They  met  in  Baltimore,  December,  1875. 

The  commencement  of  Washington  and  Jefiferson, 
1890,  marked  the  semi-centennial  of  his  graduation. 
Invited  he  participated  in  the  class  re-union. 

But  another  semi-centennial  was  drawing  near  as  this 
veteran  of  the  cross  was  battling  with  disease.  Laid 
aside  some  time  from  active  duty  his  people  would  not 
hear  of  his  demittal.  The  Synod  met  Oct.  19-24,  at 
Sharon,  to  join  his  people  in  surveying  half  a  century's 
pastorate.  We  found  him  nearing  the  shore,  the  land 
birds  lighting  on  his  craft.  It  falls  to  the  lot  of  few  as 
Drs.  Thompson  and  Ross  to  serve  one  people  continu- 
ously fifty  years.  In  these  days  of  itching  ears  it  is  a 
credit  to  both  minister  and  people. 

The  afternoon  session  of  Friday,  Oct.  20,  was  devoted 
to  a  service  unwitnessed  before  with  this  programme : 
Poem  by  Rev.  I.  G.  McLaughlin,  Historical  Address  by 
Dr.  E.  E.  Boyce,  Open  Letter  from  George  Earle,  L.  L. 
D.,  Washington,  D.  C.,  a  classmate.  Address  in  behalf 
of  the  Synod  by  Dr.  W.  M.  Grier.  Lingering  till  Nov. 
25,  1903  the  summons  came  for  this  brave,  loyal  and 
valiant  soldier  to  lay  his  armour  down  after  51  years 
service  less  5  days. 

Dr.  Ross  was  far  above  the  average.  Possessed  of  a 
vigorous  and  well  cultivated  mind  had  he  chosen  law  the 
judge's  bench  would  logically  have  been  his.  If  States- 
manship, Congress  would  have  resounded  with  that 
stentorian    voice,    ready    utterance,    dignified    language, 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  345 

compass  of  thought  and  logical  acumen  of  which  he  was 
master.  As  a  debater  and  clear  reasoner  he  had  no  equal 
in  Synod,  cool,  calm  and  deliberate  under  the  most  excit- 
ing questions.  If  Synod  had  needed  a  supreme  court 
judge  unanimous  consent  would  have  invested  him  with 
the  ermine.  These  powers  of  body  and  mind  he  laid  on 
the  altar  of  God's  glory  and  circumscribed  them  within 
the  sphere  of  his  convictions  and  Church. 

What  a  pity  says  the  short  sighted,  as  the  Egyptians 
of  Moses,  to  bury  such  talent!  But  touching  and  in- 
fluencing by  his  orthodox  leadership  three  generations, 
he  is  greater,  more  far  reaching  in  influence  than  R.  A. 
Ross  another  Thomas  Benton  thirty  years  in  the  United 
States  Senate. 

Sharp,  Washington  Marion.— Son  of  Robert  Clem- 
mers  Sharp  and  Esther  Hawthorn,  was  born  November 
18.  1 82 1,  near  Due  West,  Abbeville  Co.,  S  C.  Until 
grown  he  went  to  school  in  the  home  neighborhood,  then 
to  Rev.  J.  S.  Pressly,  until  Erskine  College  was  estab- 
lished.   In  1845  he  went  to  college  in  Oxford,  Ohio. 

He  graduated  at  the  University  of  Indiana.  He  joined 
the  Church  at  Due  West,  S.  C.  Began  the  study  of 
theoloo-y  under  the  direction  of  the  Second  Presbytery 
about  1846  in  the  Theological  Seminary,  and  was 
licensed  to  preach  by  the  Second  Presbytery  in  the  spring 
of  1848  at  Generosicc  church.  Anderson  County,  S.  C. 
Was  ordained  at  Due  West  by  the  same  Presbytery  and 
sent  to  Texas  as  a  missionary  in  1849. 

The  Synod  of  1848  ordered  him  to  missionate  a  few 
Sabbaths  each  at  Dalton's  and  in  Bradley,  Monroe, 
Blount.  Knox.  Washington  and  Sullivan  Counties, 
Tenn.,  and  Washington  Co.,  A^a.  The  first  of  these 
were  included  in  what  was  termed  in  a  general  way  the 
"bounds"  of  the  Tennessee  Presbytery.  The  Synod  of 
'51  and  '52  continued  him  as  missionary  to  Texas,  of 
which  lUirnhani  was  a  center,  and  recjuired  to  visit  other 


346 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


points  in  the  State  which  might  be  inviting.  He  was 
poorly  paid  by  Synod  for  his  services  in  this  difficult 
work  as  her  missionary,  and  he  labored  under  many 
discouragements. 

In  the  report  presumably  of  the  Second  Presbytery  to 
Synod  of  1853,  it  is  stated  he  was  given  a  certificate 
to  join  another  Church.  In  1861  he  entered  the  war  as 
a  private  in  Orr's  Regiment. 

Some  time  in  the  70's  he  removed  to  Texas.  When 
and  where  he  died  is  not  known. 


Simpson  John  Walter. — ■ 
Rev.  J.  W.  Simpson  is  the 
son  of  Dr.  Isaiah  Simpson 
and  Sallie  Patton,  and  was 
born  in  Charlotte,  N.  C, 
July  1 2th,  1876.  He  was 
prepared  for  college  at  the 
Presbyterian  High  School 
at  Rock  Hill,  S.  C,  and 
at  the  Charlotte  Military 
Institute,  and  entered  Er- 
skine  College,  Sept.,  1807, 
completing  his  course  with 
the  class  of  1901.  He  en- 
tered Erskine  Seminary 
Sept.,  1901,  and  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology 
by  the  First  Presbytery,  at  King's  Mountain,  N.  C,  May 
7th,  1902,  and  was  licensed  by  the  l-'irst  Presbytery  at 
Charlotte,  N.  C,  May,  1903.  Pie  is  at  present  stated 
supply  at  Concord  and  Bessemer  City. 


Simpson,  John  H. — The  subject  of  this  article  de- 
scended from  Sarah  Wylie  and  John  Simpson.  In  Ches- 
ter Co.,  S.  C,  he  was  born  in  1834.  Spending  five  years 
at  Erskine  College  without  missing  a  recitation  or  a  roll 
call,  he  well  earned  his  diploma  in  1856.     He  says  him- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


347 


J.  H.  SIMfSON. 


self:  "Studied  Theology 
three  years  in  Due  West. 
Commenced  Hebrew  and 
violin  music  at  the  same 
time  and  have  kept  up  the 
study  of  both  since,  but  I 
do  not  expect  to  make  a 
finish  of  either  till  1  get  to 
heaven."  The  First  Pres- 
bvtery  commissioned  him 
as  a  probationer  Sept.  6th, 
1859.  The  next  year  his 
missionary  labors  being 
divided  between  the  First 
and  Kentucky  Presbyte- 
ries, he  was  sent  in  Oct..  i860,  to  Xew  Lebanon,  West 
Virginia.  Friday,  April  12,  1861,  Fort  Sumter  was  bom- 
barded. A 'cry  soon  after,  as  himself  says,  "became  a  non- 
commissioned chaplain,  surgeon,  nurse  and  undertaker  in 
Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and 
Tennessee."  After  the  war  he  resumed  the  pulpit  and 
supplied  vacancies.  Reinforced  by  a  most  worthy  help- 
meet, ]\Iiss  Elizabeth  Moffatt  of  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  May 
8th,  1866,  he  began  stated  labors  at  Xew  Lebanon.  \\'est 
Virginia,  June  2nd,  1867.  The  First  Presbytery  or- 
dained him  Oct.  24th,  1867.  He  continued  as  stated 
sui)ply  of  this  \'irginia  charge  till  August  28th,  1869, 
when  he  was  installed  pastor. 

l*"or  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  labored  in  this  held,  going 
in  and  out,  preaching  in  outlying  and  destitute  districts. 
Two  interesting  events  of  wide  spread  interest  occurred 
at  Lebanon  during  his  pastorate.  At  the  meeting  of 
Synod  with  this  church  August  i5-20th,  '78,  Synod 
inaugurated  her  Independent  Mission  in  Mexico.  The 
other  event  was  a  ten  days  meeting,  August  29th,  1889, 
held  by  Rev.  W.  W.  ( )rr,  in  which  fifty-seven  professed 
conversion. 


348 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


This  charge  was  demitted  Oct.  3rd,  1891.  Removing 
to  Huntersville,  N.  C,  he  did  mission  work  in  the  First 
Presbytery.  A  call  was  made  for  his  services  as  Prin- 
cipal of  Hickory  Grove  Academy,  S.  C.  After  complet- 
ing this  contract  he  labored  for  a  time  in  Kentucky  and 
Texas. 

When  an  orphanage  was  opened  at  Hickory  Grove 
all  eyes  were  turned  to  him,  and  well  has  he  filled  the 
post. 

Remarkably  cool,  calm  and  patient,  his  habits  were 
plain,  his  information  minute.  He  was  never  guilty  of 
copying  any  man.  His  motions  in  church  courts,  his 
methods  of  expression,  his  sallies  of  wit,  his  means  of 
reproof,  his  correspondence,  social  conversation — these 
all  sparkled  with  originality.  To  all  these  was  always 
added  a  chaste  Christian  speech,  a  devotion  and  love  for 
his  Church,  a  pure  life  and  a  personal  piety. 

Sloan,  Archibald  Strong. — Was  born  in  Newberry,  S. 
C,  Dec.  8,  182 1,  and  was  a  son  of  James  Sloan  and  Jane 
Thompson.  He  graduated  at  Erskine  College,  Due 
West,  S.  C,  in  1844.  He  joined  the  church  at  Cannon's 
Creek  while  a  child,  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theol- 
ogy by  the  Second  Presbytery  in  the  autumn  of  1844, 
and  prosecuted  his  studies  at  Erskine  Theological  Sem- 
inary. Was  licensed  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Young,  at  Due  West, 
S.  C,  September  17,  1846. 

His  field  of  ministerial  labor  was  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  Churches  in  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,  and 
for  43  years  he  did  efficient  service  for  the  Master  in  that 
part  of  the  vineyard.  Such  is  the  very  brief  summary  of 
a  life  dedicated  to  God,  whose  work  still  lives  in  the 
lives  of  many  of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  the  com- 
munity where  was  the  scene  of  his  earthly  ministry.  Pie 
preached  the  Gospel  with  great  power — was  a  fluent 
speaker,  and  a  man  of  strong  intellect.  Many  will  recall 
his  famous  "White  Horse"  sermon  which  he  repeated 
again  and  again  by  request. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


349 


Mr.  Sloan  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Jane  Stewart, 
daughter  of  James  and  ^Margaret  Stewart.  She  was 
born  Nov.  21,  1828.  She  bore  him  seven  children  and 
died  Dec.  2,  1894.     He  died  April  27,  1893. 

Sloan,  James  Alexander. — Son  of  John  Sloan  and 
Eliza  Martin,  was  born  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  Oct.  6, 
1817.  His  early  educational  opportunities  were  very 
good,  and  he  graduated  from  Erskine  College,  August  9, 
1842. 

He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the  

Presbytery,  studied  at  Erskine  Theological  Seminary 
and  was  licensed  to  preach  Sept.  24,  1844.  He  moved 
to  Marshall  Co.,  Miss.,  Nov.  i,  1845,  ^"<^  became  pastor 
of  Alt.  Carnicl  church  .\pril  19,  1846,  and  preached  there 
one  half  his  time  till  1862,  when  war  broke  up  the 
regular  services.     He  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Ann, 

daughter  of ]\'Ioffatt  and  Jane  ]\Ioffatt.     She  was 

born  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  Dec.  28,  1827,  removed  with 
her  parents  to  Benton  Co.,  Ala.,  thence  to  IMarshall  Co., 
Miss.,  in  1844.  She  was  married  April  22,  1846,  and 
died  in  Corinth,  Miss.,  March  i,  1893.  She  was  the 
mother  of  nine  children. 

Mr.  Sloan  with  his  family  tmited  with  the  Southern 
Presbyterian  Church  in  April,  1866,  removed  to  Corinth 
in  1892,  and  there  he  died  suddenly  May  31,  1894. 

He  was  a  good  Greek  and  Hebrew  scholar,  and  a 
strong  theological  debater.  For  many  years  was  As- 
sociate Editor  of  the  "Due  JVest  Telescope,"  and  wdiile 
he  lived  often  contributed  to  the  religious  press.  Two 
sons  and  three  daughters  survive  him. 

Mr.  Sloan  was  the  author  of  a  book  entitled,  "Is 
Slavery  a  Sin  in  Itself." 

Sloan,  Rev.  T.  JJ\ — The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a 
native  of  Lincoln  Co..  Tenn.  His  father  was  Rev.  A.  S. 
Sloan,  for  manv  \ears  an  honored  minister  of  our  church. 


350 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


Bro.  T.  W.  Sloan  attended  the  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood and  in  due  time  was  fitted  for  Erskine  College, 
which  he  entered  in  1884.  He  graduated  with  the  class 
of  1886,  entered  Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  finish- 
ing his  course  at  Princeton.  In  May,  1890,  he  was 
settled  as  pastor  over  Troy  congregation  and  served  as 
pastor  about  five  years.  He  was  called  to  Charlotte, 
and  served  this  church  for  a  short  time,  returning  to 
Troy,  he  remained  until  1900,  when  he  took  charge  of 
the  mission  at  Abbeville  and  served  that  church  for  about 
two  vears.  Receiving  a  call  to  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Greenville,  he  received  a  certificate  to  connect 
with  the  Presbytery  of  Ennoree  and  is  now  a  promin- 
ent minister  of  that  body  in  South  Carolina. 

Sloan.  Henry  Thomp- 
son, D.  D. — In  the  bounds 
of  Cannon  Creek  congrega- 
tion, Newberry  Co.,  S.  C, 
Rev.  H.  T.  Sloan,  D.  D., 
first  saw  the  light,  on  the 
25th  of  May,  1823.  His 
parents  were  James  Sloan 
and  Jane  Thompson.  The 
father  was  an  elder  in 
Cannon  Creek  church,  and 
his  son  Thompson  was 
carefully  and  piously  rear- 
ed. His  early  education 
was  obtained  in  the  schools 
near  his  home,  and  when  seventeen  years  of  age  he  en- 
tered Erskine,  along  with  Rev.  D.  W.  Reid.  His  father 
furnished  him  provisions  from  home,  and  for  a  time  he 
boarded  himself,  hiring  a  servant  to  do  his  cooking.  He 
completed  his  course  in  1846.  He  then  entered  Erskine 
Seminary,  graduating  in  1848,  and  was  licensed  in  Sep- 
tember of  the  same  year  by  the  Second  Presbvtery,  at 
Generostec,  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C. 


H.     T.      SLOAN,     D.     D. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  351 

His  missionary  labors  were  extensive  throughout  the 
Western  churches  and  lasted  for  two  years.     He  received 
a   call    from    Cedar    Springs   and    Long   Cane   and    was 
installed    as    pastor    over    these    congregations    October 
29th,  1850.     His  pastorate  was  a  long  and  fruitful  one. 
He  never  had   but  one  charge   and   for   forty   years  he 
labored  among  his  people,  loving  them  and  being  loved 
in  return.     What  a  tribute  to  a  pastor's  faithfulness  and 
to  a  congregation's  loyahy  is  a  forty-years  work  among 
the  same  people.     As  one  has  said  of  Dr.  Sloan  :     "He 
tenderly  bore  in  his  arms  the  lambs  of  the  flock  placing 
upon  their  young  brows  the  seal  of  the  covenant  of  bap- 
tism, and  when  these  had  grown  to  the  estate  of  man- 
hood  and  womanhood  he  united  them  in  the  holy  bonds 
of  wedlock  with  pious  admonition,  and   when   later  on 
the  Reaper,  came  as  he  so  often  did.  with  sickle  keen 
and  reaped  the  bearded  grain,  in  melting  tones  and  more 
meltino-  words  he  consigned  them  to  their  last  resting 
place."      Dr.    Sloan    was   a   most   earnest   and    eloquent 
minister  of  the  Gospel.     He  had  a  commanding  presence, 
and  a  voice  clear  and  musical,  most  pleasant  to  the  ear, 
his  sermons  were  very  full  of  the  Scriptures  and  he  was 
especially  strong  in  his  appeals  to  the  sinner,  being  apt 
to    present    the    Gospel    with    great    persuasiveness    and 
tenderness.      His  preaching  was  essentially  evangelistic, 
and  he  excelled  in  special  meeting  designed  to  reach  the 
unconverted.     It  was  the  writer's  privilege  to  hear  him 
frequentl}-  at  Due  West  in  Communion  meetings,  when 
he  would  assist  the  pastor.  Dr.  W.  L.  Pressly,  and  often 
have  we  been   stirred  ])y  his  powerful   and  affectionate 
calls  to  those  out  of  Christ.     His  ministry  was  eminently 
successful,  both  in  his  own  churches  and  also  when  con- 
ducting meetings   for  others. 

For  a  time  during  the  Civil  War  Dr.  Sloan  was  chap- 
lain of  Orr's  Regiment.  He  was  most  popular  among 
the  men.  Init  on  account  of  failing  heallh,  he  was  forced 
to  leave  his  regiment  before  the  close  of  the   struggle. 


352  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

Dr.  Sloan  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  city  mission  work. 
In  1854  he  was  sent  to  Nashvihe,  Tenn.,  to  open  up 
work,  and  succeeded  in  organizing  a  church,  which, 
however,  only  had  a  temporary  existence.  In  1874  he 
was  sent  to  Charlotte  and  organized  a  church  in  that 
city,  and  our  present  flourishing  work  there  is  due  in 
part  to  his  beginnings,  a  day,  indeed,  of  small  things,  but 
one  full  of  promise  and  success  to  the  faith  and  hope  of 
Dr.  Sloan.  He  was  one  who  planned  great  things  for 
the  Church,  and  had  great  confidence  in  her  future. 

One  of  the  marked  features  in  the  life  of  Dr.  Sloan 
was  his  faithful  attendance  upon  the  meetings  of  Presby- 
tery and  Synod.  He  missed  possibly  only  one  meeting  of 
each  court  in  a  ministry  of  forty  years.  He  was  also 
very  punctual  in  attendance  upon  the  sessions  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  Erskine  College,  and  the  com- 
mencement of  the  two  colleges.  He  received  his  degree 
of  D.  D.  from  Erskine  College.  On  account  of  failing 
health  he  gave  up  his  charge  in  the  year  1890,  but  con- 
tinued to  preach  till  about  a  month  before  his  death, 
which  resulted  from  paralysis  of  the  brain  at  his  home 
near  Cedar  Springs,  Feb.  13th,  1894.  His  monument 
in  marble  stands  in  front  of  the  church.       ^ 

Dr.  Sloan's  family  life  was  very  happy,  although  he 
had  no  children.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Josephine  E. 
Kerr,  daughter  of  Jennings  B.  Kerr  and  Jane  Walkup, 
in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  Jan.  2nd,  185 1.  She  shared  with  him 
the  joys  and  trials  of  his  ministry,  and  was  a  most  in- 
telligent helpmeet.  She  frequently  attended  with  the 
Dr.  church  meetings  and  commencements,  and  was  al- 
ways much  interested  in  ecclesiastical  and  educational 
matters.  Her  home  is  still  at  Cedar  Springs,  where  she 
enjoys  a  green  old  age  with  her  nephew,  Mr.  Kerr. 
Dr.  Sloan  at  his  death  left  a  considerable  bequest  to  the 
Church. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  353 

Smith,  Nat  Erskine.—Rey.  X.  E.  Smith  is  the  son  of 
G.  L.  Smith  and  Margaret  E.  Jamison,  and  was  born  at 
Coddle  Creek,  N.  C,  Aug  22nd,  1878.  He  was  pre- 
pared for  college  at  the  Coddle  Creek  Academy,  and 
graduated  at  Erskine  College.  He  entered  the  Seminary 
at  Erskine  in  Sept.,  1902,  and  was  received  as  a  student 
of  theology  by  the  First  Presbytery  at  Charlotte,  N.  C, 
May,  1903,  and  is  pursuing  his  studies  at  Erskine  Semi- 
nary. 

Smith,  Rev.  John  An- 
drezv. — Son  of  O.  N.  and 
E.  A.  Smith,  was  born 
June  23,  1865,  in  Alexan- 
der Co.,  N.  C,  but  was 
reared  in  Iredell  Co.  In 
Elk  Shoals  Academy  he 
came  under  the  influence  of 
Rev.  \\\  B.  Pressly,  who 
tirst  excited  in  him  a  desire 
to  preach  the  gospel.  He 
received  his  education  at 
Huntersville,  N.  C,  and 
in     Erskine     College.       In 

J.    A.    SMITH.  ° 

June,  1893,  he  graduated 
from  Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  and  was  licensed 
by  the  First  Presbytery  in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  April  5, 
1893.  He  spent  three  months  the  same  year,  by  direc- 
tion of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  preaching  in  Little 
Rock  and  Russellville,  Ark.  He  was  ordained  by  the 
First  Presbytery  and  installed  pastor  of  White  Oak,  S. 
C,  Nov.  24,  1893.  He  labored  here  six  years;  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Ebenezer  and  Wrens,  Ga.,  Dec.  6,  1899. 
This  relation  was  dissolved  April  12,  1902,  and  he  was 
'nstalled  pastor  of  Russellville,  Ark.,  church,  April  21. 

He  was  married  August  21,   1895,  to  Miss  Sallie  E. 
Patrick,  youngest  daughter  of  J.  R.  and  S.  N.  Patrick 
23 


354 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


of  White  Oak,  S.  C.     She  graduated  from  the  Due  West 
Female  College  in  1886. 

Mr.  Smith  has  marked  gifts  as  a  pastor,  preacher  and 
evangelist. 

Spruce,  William  Wilson. — Son  of  John  Spruce  and 
Jane  Wilson,  was  born  in  Newberry,  S.  C,  in  1827.  His 
father  died  in  South  Carolina,  and  when  but  a  child,  his 
mother,  two  brothers  and  three  sisters  emigrated  to 
Tennessee  and  settled  in  Bedford  County  in  1830.  He 
was  the  youngest  of  seven  children. 

He  obtained  a  common  school  education  at  the  coun- 
try schools,  and  also  went  to  Viney  Grove,  Lincoln  Co., 
Tenn.,  in  1846,  and  joined  the  Church  at  Bethel,  Tenn., 
while  at  school  there.  He  graduated  from  Erskine  Col- 
lege about  1853.  He  married  Miss  Eveline  McNease  in 
Wilcox  Co.,  Ala.,  and  nine  children  were  born  to  them. 

After  the  Civil  War  he  moved  to  Louisiana,  on  the 
Red  River.  There  his  wife  and  three  children  died.  He 
then  went  up  into  Arkansas.  Here  he  appears  to  have 
joined  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was 
also  married  here  the  second  time. 

Where  he  studied  theology,  when,  where,  by  what 
Presbytery  licensed  and  ordained  is  not  stated,  and  the 
only  record  of  his  preaching  we  have  is  while  teaching 
at  Orrville,  Ala.,  sometime  in  the  fifties.  He  is  said  to 
have  preached  occasionally. 

Ste-wart,  Rev.  Eheneaer  Pressly. — Son  of  Samuel  and 
Rebecca  Stewart  was  born  in  the  bounds  of  Generostee 
congregation,  S.  C,  the  27th  of  Sept.,  1838.  When  he 
was  five  years  old,  the  family  moved  to  Tippah  Co.,  Miss. 
In  early  life  he  became  a  cripple  from  "white  swelling." 
Educated  in  Ebenezer  Academy,  under  Rev.  J.  L, 
McDaniel  and  Mr.  J.  C.  Irwin,  he  chose  the  profession 
of  school  teaching.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Frances 
Owen,  of  Tippah  Co.,  Miss.,  Dec.  2,  1858. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


355 


STEWART. 


He     taught     school     in 
Union     Co.,     Miss.,     until 
1870,     then     at     Ebenezer 
j^/SjH/^  Academy    in    Tippah    Co., 

^^^^^  -  ten  years.     He  then  taught 

in  Milam  and  other  coun- 
ties in  Texas.  In  1854  he 
joined  Ebenezer  church  in 
Mississippi,  and  in  the  ear- 
ly '6o's  his  thoughts  began 
to  turn  to  the  ministry. 
In  1884  the  Texas  Presby- 
tery received  him  as  a 
student  of  divinity.  He 
studied  privately  under 
members  of  the  Presbytery  and  was  licensed  May  22, 
1886.  He  was  ordained,  sine  titnio,  by  the  same  Presby- 
tery, May  II.  1889.  He  preached  two  years  and  taught 
school  at  Lamar.  With  the  consent  of  his  Presbytery 
he  located  in  Greer  Co.,  Okla.,  and  the  ist  Sabbath  in 
May,  1890,  he  began  preaching  once  a  month  in  Pleas- 
ant Point  school  house.  The  25th  of  the  following  De- 
cember he  organized  Hermon  Church.  He  supplied  this 
church  till  January,  1902. 

Sfczcorf,  Thomas  Bonner. — Was  born  Aug.  20th,  1857, 
near  Mofifattsville,  in  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C.  His  father 
was  John  Wylie  Stewart,  his  mother's  maiden  name  was 
Miss  Eleanor  Black.*  He  received  his  early  education 
from  the  common  schools  near  his  home. 

He  graduated  from  Erskine  College  in  1884.  He 
joined  the  Church  at  Generostee  in  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C. 
He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  Second 
Presbytery  in  1884,  at  Due  West.  Studied  theology  in 
Erskine  Theological  Seminary,  and  was  licensed  by  the 
same  Presbytery  April,  1886,  at  Ora,  S.  C.  He  was 
ordained   in   Xovembcr,   1887,  at   Coddle  Creek  by  the 


356 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


First  Presbytery.  He  began  his  ministerial  labors  at 
Mooresville  and  Coddle  Creek.  He  served  these 
churches  from  1887  until  1891.  From  then  until  1893 
he  labored  under  the  direction  of  the  Flome  Board  in 
the  Kentucky  and  other  Presbyteries.  In  1893  he  went 
to  Arkansas,  where  he  labored  until  1899.  In  that  year 
he  became  stated  supply  at  Doraville,  Antioch  and  New 
Hope  in   De   Kalb   Co.,   Ga.,   and   continued   there  until 

1902.  In  January,  1903,  he  began  work  at  Back  Creek 
and  Prosperity  in  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C. 

He  was  installed  as  pastor  of  Perth,  Coddle  Creek  and 
Mooresville  in  November,  1887.  And  over  Shady 
Grove  and  Hickory  Springs,  Arkansas,  in  October, 
1899,  and  was  called  at  Back  Creek  and  Prosperity  in 
January,  1903.  He  married  Miss  Annie  I.  Lathan  at 
Due  West  Oct.  27th,  1887.  Her  parents  were  Dr. 
Robert  and  Mrs.  Fannie  B.  Lathan.  She  was  born  in 
Yorkville,  S.  C.  May  23rd,  1865,  and  died  March  15th, 

1903.  They   had   four  children. 


Ste-vcnson,  Miss  Made 
Pennelia. — The  lot  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  has 
been  cast  at  Tampico,  on 
the  Gulf  Coast  of  the 
Mexican  Republic.  and 
notwithstanding  the  ex- 
cessive heat,  the  length  of 
the  season  and  the  treach- 
ery of  the  climate,  she  is 
prosecuting  her  work  with 
skill  and  vigor,  and  the 
fruit  will  be  far-reaching 
and  we  trust  abundant. 
Miss  Macie  Permelia 
Stevenson  is  the  youngest  child  of  the  late  Robert  Mur- 
dock  Stevenson  and  the  late   AFargaret  Rel)ccca  Hartin, 


MISS    STEVENSON. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  357 

and  is  at  this  writing  in  the  fuhiess  of  her  womanhood, 
having  come  upon  the  stage  of  hfe  at  Albion,  Fairfield 
County,  South  Carolina,  near  New  Hope  Church,  on 
Nov.  loth,  1872.  She  is  a  decendant  of  the  Scotch- 
Irish,  of  which  South  Carolina  is  noted.  In  disposition 
she  was  cheery,  gentle,  affectionate  and  notably  pious. 
She  made  a  public  profession  of  her  faith  about  the  age 
of  twelve  years,  and  was  re(^eived  as  a  member  at  New 
Hope  church,  under  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  R.  G.  Miller. 

Her  earlier  education  was  obtained  in  the  country 
schools  of  her  section,  and,  being  studious,  her  progress 
in  her  school  duties  was  above  the  average.  She 
received  her  later  training  at  Due  West  Female  College 
and  graduated  with  the  class  of  1890. 

At  an  early  age  the  missionar}-  spirit  seems  to  have 
found  a  lodgment  in  her  heart,  and  from  a  child  she 
would  say  that  she  expected  to  be  a  missionary.  On  the 
first  Sabbath  of  November,  1878,  a  few  days  before 
completing  her  sixth  birthday,  the  first  missionary  to 
Mexico  visited  New  Hope,  and  presented  the  cause  of 
the  Mexican  Mission.  Her  contribution  to  this  new 
work  of  the  Church  was  a  silver  dollar,  which  she  per- 
sonally handed  the  missionary  in  childlike  simplicity 
and  modesty.  It  may  have  been  the  planting  of  the  mis- 
sionary seed  then  that  has  developed  into  her  beautiful 
ly  devoted,  missionar}'   life. 

After  graduating,  she  taught  school  for  a  short  while, 
and  in  December,  1890,  was  appointed  to  the  Mexican 
field.  Several  months  were  spent  in  special  study  at  Due 
West,  S.  C,  and  in  November,  1891,  she  left  home  and 
native  country  to  teach  in  a  girl's  school  at  Tampico, 
Mex.  She  arrived  in  Mexico  in  December,  1891,  and 
about  one  year  was  spent  in  the  study  of  the  Spanish 
language,  in  which  she  made  rajMd  i)rogress.  Some 
years  previous  Dr.  Pressly  had  bought  for  The  Depart- 
ment of  Woman's  Work  suitable  ])roperty  for  a  school. 
The  house  was  made  read}-  and  e(iuipped  for  a  school  and 


358  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

on  the  i6th  of  Jan.,  1893,  the  Juarez  Seminary  for  girls 
was  formally  opened  with  Dr.  Neill  E.  Pressly  as  Prin- 
cipal and  Misses  Boyce  and  Stevenson  co-teachers.  Af- 
ter the  first  few  months  the  school  grew  in  favor,  and 
Miss  Stevenson  has  given  her  energies  for  the  past  ten 
years  to  the  intellectual,  moral  and  spiritual  training 
of  the  girls  that  have  come  under  her  direction  and  in- 
fluence. As  a  teacher  she  is  thorough  in  her  work,  she 
is  firm  in  discipline  yet  affectionate,  and  is  beloved  by 
her  pupils.  Neither  pleasure  nor  comforts,  nor  friends 
nor  anything  else,  can  detract  from  her  school  duties  and 
Christian  work.  Through  the  school  and  the  pupils, 
she  has  an  entrance  into  families  that  are  not  easily 
reached  by  the  preacher,  and  a  part  of  every  week  is 
spent  in  the  from  house  to  house  work  for  which  work 
she  has  peculiar  adaptation. 

Being  a  good  musician,  she  has  been  prominent  in 
the  congregational  singing  of  Christ's  Church  at  Tam- 
pico.  She  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Sabbath  School, 
having  charge  of  the  large  class  of  little  children.  In 
the  Juvenile  Endeavor  Society  she  has  almost  the  entire 
direction  of  this  branch  of  Christian  work.  In  the  day 
school  and  Sabbath  School  and  in  all  the  Church's  work 
she  takes  a  lively  interest. 

Miss  Stevenson  is  a  young  woman  of  thirty  years  of 
age,  with  consecrated  zeal  in  her  work,  possessing 
superior  qualifications  for  the  work,  blessed  with  ex- 
traordinary opportunities  for  exercising  her  gifts,  and 
the  prayer  is  that  God  will  preserve  her  as  a  useful 
instrument  for  His  Church,  crown  her  earnest  efforts 
with  success,  and,  at  last,  her  soul  with  the  radiance  of 
eternal  glory  at  God's  right  hand.     Amen. 

Stevensoi,  Robert  Milton. — Rev.  R.  M.  Stevenson  was 
born  in  the  bounds  of  New  Hope  congregation,  Fair- 
field Co.,  S.  C,  Nov.  20th,  i860,  and  is  the  son  of  Rob- 
ert Murdock  Stevenson  and  Rebecca  Margaret  Hartin. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


359 


STKVENSON. 


He,  together  with  nine 
other  young  men  of  New 
Hope,  was  prepared  for 
college  by  Rev.  H.  M. 
Henry,  D.  D.,  who  was 
then  a  recent  graduate  of 
Erskine      College.  Mr. 

Stevenson  graduated  from 
Erskine  College  in  1877, 
and  spent  a  year  in  teach- 
ing in  Edgefield  Co.,  S.  C. 
In  Oct.,  1878,  he  entered 
Erskine  Seminary,  and 
w^as  received  as  a  student 
of  theology  by  the  Second 
Presbytery  at  Head  Springs,  Newberry  Co  ,  S.  C,  in 
April,  1879.  After  graduating  in  the  Seminary,  he  was 
licensed  Sept.  6th,  1880,  by  the  First  Presbytery,  at  Beth- 
any, York  Co.,  S.  C. 

After  preaching  for  a  few  months  at  Winnsboro,  and 
Brick  Church  in  South  Carolina,  he  went  to  Virginia, 
and  was  ordained  by  the  Virginia  Presbytery  April 
22nd,  1882.  For  several  years  he  was  stated  supply  at 
Ebenezer  and  Bethel,  and  Broad  Creek,  Va.,  and  was 
pastor  of  Ebenezer  and  Bethel  from  April,  1884,  until 
April,  1886.  At  this  time  he  demitted  his  Virginia 
charge  and  returned  to  South  Carolina  and  was  stated 
supply  at  Bethany  and  Kings  Mountain  during  the  sum- 
mer and  winter  of  1886,  until  the  spring  of  1887.  At 
this  time  he  was  called  to  Bethany,  and  was  installed 
pastor  at  Bethany,  May  13th,  1887,  for  one  half  his  time. 
On  November  5th,  1892,  he  was  installed  pastor  of 
Crowder's  Creek  for  one  fourth  his  time,  and  on  No- 
vember 3rd,  1893,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  Clover  for 
one  fourth  his  time.  Mr.  Stevenson  still  continues  pas- 
tor of  these  churches,  and  under  his  care  they  are  pros- 
pering.     He    was    the    Moderator   of   the    Synod    at    its 


360 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


meeting  at  Rosemark,  Tenn.,  November,  1901,  and  was 
for  a  time  the  Associate  Editor  of  "Our  Young  People," 
the  organ  of  the  Young  Peoples  Societies,  and  since 
January,  1903,  he  has  been  the  Editor  of  the  "A.  R.  P. 
Quarterly," . 

Mr.  Stevenson  was  married  Oct.  26th,  1881,  to  Miss 
Emma  L.  Christian  of  Due  West,  S.  C.  Mrs.  Stevenson 
is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  M.  Christian  and  Mary  A. 
Padgett,  and  was  born  in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  April  ist, 
1859.  Six  children  have  blessed  the  home  of  these  ser- 
vants of  the  Lord. 


Strong,  Rev.  Edgar  El- 
lis.— Rev.  E.Ji.  Strong,  the 
present  pastor  of  the  Dora- 
ville  group  of  churches, 
was  born  at  Atoka,  Tip- 
ton Co.,  Tennessee,  Feb- 
ruary 1 6th,  1876.  His 
father  was  Rev.  James 
Hemphill  Strong,  the  pas- 
tor of  Salem  church,  and 
his  mother  was  Hibernia 
Ellis  Strong.  The  Salem 
E   E   STRONG  commuuitv      has      enjoyed 

the  advantage  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  of  a  good  school  conducted  by  Prof.  R.  E. 
Robinson.  Mr.  Strong  attended  this  school  and  was 
here  prepared  for  Erskine  College.  He  graduated  in 
1900  and  received  his  A.  M.  degree  after  a  course  of 
study,  in  1902. 

While  only  twelve  years  of  age  he  connected  with  the 
Church,  his  mind  was  directed  to  the  ministry,  and  in 
the  fall  after  his  graduation  from  college  he  entered 
Erskine  Seminary.  He  was  received  as  a  student  of 
theology  by  the  Second  Presbytery  April  12,  1901,  at  Iva, 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


361 


Anderson  Co.,  S.  C,  and  was  licensed  at  Wrens,  Ga., 
April  15th,  1902.  Was  ordained  at  Doraville,  Ga.,  Sept. 
18,  1902,  and  installed  over  the  DeKalb  Co.  churches, 
having  previously  been  called.  Mr.  Strong  spent  three 
months  in  the  fall  of  1902  in  Allegheny  Theological 
Seminary  by  leave  of  his  congregations.  The  work  at 
Doraville  has  taken  on  new  life  since  his  settlement,  and 
the  prospects  in  his  field  of  labor  are  now  ^nost 
promising. 

Stro)ig,  James  HeinpJiill. 
— Was  a  son  of  John  and 
Martha  Strong,  and  was 
born  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C, 
May  14,  1827.  When  about 
ten  years  of  age  he  re- 
moved with  his  father's 
family  to  Tipton  Co., 
Tenn.,  and  settled  in  the 
bounds  of  Salem  church. 
Though  at  this  early  pe- 
riod good  schools  were 
not  numerous,  this  com- 
munity was  fortunate  in 
having  some:  excellent 
teachers.  Mrs.  John  Wilson  taught  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  Prof.  James  Holmes  at  the  IMountain  Academy. 
Rev.  E.  E.  Boyce  also  taught  in  this  section,  and  it  was 
Mr.  Strong's  privilege  to  attend  school  under  each  of 
these  instructors.  He  entered  Erskine  College,  and 
graduated  from  that  institution  in  August,  1854.  Ten 
years  before,  July  17,  1844,  he  joined  the  church  at  Sa- 
lem, Tenn.  He  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology, 
at   Salem,   Tenn..   hv   the    Mempliis    Presbvtcrv,    Mav   4, 

1855- 

He  entered  Erskine  Theological  Seminary  in  the  fall 
of  1855,  having  previously  prosecuted  his  studies  under 


I.    H.    STRONG. 


362  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

the  Rev.  John  Wilson.  He  was  Hcensed  by  the  Memphis 
Presbytery  October  7,  1856,  at  Hopewell,  Union  Co., 
Miss.,  and  by  the  same  Presbytery  was  ordained  Nov. 
21,  1857. 

During  the  winter  of  1856  he  labored  in  Drew  and 
Hempstead  Counties,  Arkansas,  and  the  following  sum- 
mer in  Lafayette  Co.,  Miss.,  where  he  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  of  Shiloh  church  in  1857,  and  continued  as 
pastor  there  four  years.  In  response  to  the  call  of  Salem 
congregation  as  co-pastor  (Rev.  John  Wilson  being 
pastor)  he  demitted  Shiloh,  and  came  to  Tipton  Co., 
Tenn.,  in  February,  1862.  In  the  fall  of  1865  the  Rev. 
John  Wilson  tendered  his  resignation  of  Salem,  which 
was  reluctantly  accepted  by  the  congregation,  and  in 
May,  1866,  a  call  was  extended  Mr.  Strong  and  he  was 
installed  pastor  of  Salem  in  September,  1866.  This  was 
the  beginning  of  a  long  and  useful  pastorate — continu- 
ing until  his  death  in  '91,  nearly  30  years.  The  congre- 
gation grew  in  numbers  and  prospered.  In  1885, 
toward  the  close  of  his  life,  it  is  recorded  that  more  than 
40  persons  united  with  the  church  during  a  single  meet- 
ing. "He  had  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer  and  the  faculty 
of  expressing  his  ideas  perspicuously.  In  1886  he  pub- 
lished in  a  pamphlet  a  history  of  Salem  church,  and 
since  that  a  sermon  on  the  'Law  of  the  Tithe'  preached 
before  the  Memphis  Presbytery  and  published  by  request 
of  the  Presbytery."  His  sermons  were  carefully  pre- 
pared, and  written  in  full  and  preached  from  manuscript. 
His  words  were  weighty  and  earnest,  for  he  was 
"mighty  in  the  Scriptures."  He  was  a  safe,  judicious 
counsellor,  a  faithful  and  devoted  pastor,  a  worthy 
citizen,  and  a  noble  type  of  Christian  manhood.  He 
died  August  18,  1891,  and  his  body  sleeps  in  the  grave- 
yard at  Salem  within  a  few  feet  of  the  pulpit  where  for 
nearly  30  years  he  preached  the  "unsearchable  riches 
of  Christ." 

He  was  married  near  Due  West,   S.   C,  August   14, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  363 

1854,  to  Hibernia  Agnes  Ellis,  daughter  of  John  Lindsay- 
Ellis  and  Mahala  Ellis.  She  was  born  near  Due  West, 
S.  C,  Sept.  18,  1833,  and  is  still  living  at  the  old  home 
near  Salem.  Eight  children  were  born  to  them,  four  of 
whom  are  living.  John  L.,  who  died  recently,  became  a 
practicing  physician,  and  Edgar  E.,  is  the  present  pastor 
of  the  Doraville,  Ga..  A.  R.  P.  Church.  Miss  Addie  is  a 
Peabody  graduate,  and  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  county,  C.  Grier  is  a  graduate  in  pharmacy,  and 
^^'m.  J.  is  a  farmer  and  efficient  elder  of  Salem  church. 

Strojig,  Charles. — Son  of  James  and  Letitia  Strong, 
born  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  Aug.  4,  1788.  His  mother 
was  a  sister  of  Christopher  Strong,  of  Tennessee,  a  lib- 
eral benefactor  of  Erskine  College.  Piously  trained,  of 
a  bright  mind,  his  parents  resolved  to  fit  him  for  higher 
service  in  the  church.  He  entered  Monticello  xA.cademy, 
Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C.  under  Rev.  James  Rogers.  Then  he 
entered  S.  C.  University,  Jan.  10,  1805,  her  opening 
day,  and  graduated  1808,  in  a  class  of  31.  Straitened 
in  means,  he  and  two  classmates,  Revs.  Joseph  and  Jas. 
Lowry,  boarded  themselves,  furnishing  their  own  provis- 
ion and  doing  their  own  cooking.  This  did  not  deter 
them    from    arduous    study    and    honorable    graduation. 

Three  years  were  now  spent  in  Newberry  Academy, 
in  a  very  successful  school  where  many  were  prepared 
for  honorable  positions  on  the  Bench  and  at  the  Bar. 

He  repaired  in  the  autumn  of  181 1  to  the  Associate 
Reformed  Seminary  in  Xew  York  City,  under  Rev.  J. 
M.  Mason,  D.  D.,  and  spent  four  years.  On  his  return 
the  First  Presbytery  licensed  him  July  13.  181 5.  Having 
labored  in  the  vacancies  a  short  time,  the  same  court  or- 
dained and  installed  him  pastor  over  the  united  con- 
gregations of  Cannon  Creek,  Kings  Creek  and  Pros- 
perity, Xewberry  County,  South  Carolina.  In  the 
pulpit  he  was  free  from  anything  like  pharisaic  aus- 
terity  on   the   one   hand,    and    levity   on    the   other,    his 


364  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

appearance  was  solemn  and  impressive.  Possessing 
a  voice  clear,  soft  and  harmonious,  he  was  always  heard 
with  interest.  Deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  great 
importance  of  holding  fast  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  he 
determined  in  the  exercise  of  his  ministry  not  to  know 
anything  save  Jesus  Christ  and  hi,m  crucified, — hence  his 
preaching  was  not  of  that  character  which  is  adapted  to 
amuse  the  curious ;  but  which  is  suited  rather  to  alarm  the 
careless,  to  encourage  the  anxious  inquirer,  to  comfort  the 
mourner  in  Zion,  and  to  build  up  the  believer  in  faith 
and  holiness.  As  a  preacher  he  never  pretended  to  the 
highest  claims  of  eloquence.  Although  possessing  great 
learning  himself,  he  never  sought  to  array  his  sermon 
with  its  pedantry.  He  sought  to  save  men  not  by  terror 
but  by  love. 

But  well  qualified  as  this  godly  servant  was,  the  Mas- 
ter called  him,  after  eight  years  service,  to  exchange  the 
earthly  for  the  heavenly  court.  The  messenger  came 
to  his  home  six  miles  from  Newberry  C.  H.,  July  20, 
1824,  and  his  remains  lie  covered  with  a  marble  slab,  the 
loving  tribute  of  devoted  parishioners.  He  was  distin- 
guished for  his  vigorous  intellect  and  amiable  manners, 
his  unassuming  and  dignified  deportment,  his  solid  and 
extensive  learning,  his  firm  attachment  to  evangelical 
truth,  his  fervent  and  consistent  piety. 

Feb.  13,  1817,  he  was  happily  married  to  Nancy, 
daughter  of  Capt.  John  and  Martha  (Hunter)  Harris, 
of  York  Co.,  S.  C.  She  was  a  granddaughter  of  John 
Harris  and  Eleanor  Reynolds,  wdiom  Dr.  Thomas  Clark 
married  while  he  was  unjustly  in  Monaghan  jail,  1754. 
She  was  of  singular  excellence,  distinguished  for  piety 
and  prudence,  and  one  admirably  qualified  for  the  im- 
portant station  to  which  she  w^as  called.  After  Rev. 
Strong's  death,  she  returned  to  Steele  Creek,  where  her 
father  provided  her  a  home.  Here  she  reared  and  edu- 
cated her  son,  the  late  J.  Mason  Strong.  AT.  D.,  and  her 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  365 

three  daughters,  and  here,   Xov.  8,   1842,  she  left  them 
motherless. 

Taylor,  Robert  Fleming. — Was  born  in  Laurens  Co., 
S.  C,  Xov.  20th,  1822.  His  father  was  John  Taylor, 
his  mother  Sarah  Bryson.  He  enjoyed  good  educational 
opportunities.  He  graduated  from  Erskine  College  in 
1842.  Immediately  after  he  began  the  study  of  Theol- 
ogy at  Due  West.  He  was  received  as  a  student  at 
Due  West  by  the  Second  Presbytery.  He  w^as  licensed 
Nov.,  1845.  -^6  ^^'^s  ordained  in  1849,  by  First  Presby- 
tery. His  first  ministerial  work  was  done  in  the  vacant 
churches  in  South  Carolina,  North  Carolina  and  Mrginia. 
In  1849  he  was  called  by  Neely's  Creek,  York  Co.,  S.  C. 
Also  by  Gilead  and  Prosperity,  N.  C.  He  accepted  the 
former,  and  was  installed  pastor  the  same  year.  He  was 
married  May  6th,  1846,  in  York  Co.,  S.  C,  to  Miss  Isa- 
bella X'irginia  Pressly.  Her  father  was  Richard  M. 
Pressly.  Her  mother's  maiden  name  was  ^lary  H.  Bar- 
ron. She  was  born  in  York  Co.,  S.  C,  Nov.  26th,  1826. 
They  had  three  children  She  is  still  living.  There  were 
five  ministers  in  her  father's  family.  Rev.  R.  F.  Taylor 
was  a  chaplain  in  the  Confederate  army  three  years.  He 
died  June  i6th,  1896. 

Thomas,  Andrew. — Was  received  in  1854  by  the  Asso- 
ciate Church,  served  in  that  body  and  the  U.  P.  Church 
in  various  pastorates  in  N^.  Y. ;  joined  the  First  Ohio 
A.  R.  P.  Presbytery,  Oct.  1867;  supplied  her  vacancies 
until   1869,  when  he  joined  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Thompson,  Horatio,  D.  D. — Near  the  banks  of  the 
beautiful  Hudson,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  there  was 
born,  April  i,  1799,  an  only  son  of  Samuel  and  Alary 
(Howe)  Thompson.  With  scant  opportunities  for  pre- 
paratory education,  though  diligently  improved,  he  grad- 
uated at  Union  College,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,   1823,  un- 


366 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


REV.  HORATIO  THOMPSON,  D.  D. 


der  the  celebrated  Dr.  Nott. 
Having-  about  finished  a 
course  qf  law,  his  mind 
undergoing  a  change,  the 
study  of  a  higher  science 
was  begun  under  his  pas- 
tor. Dr.  Alexander  Bul- 
lions, of  Cambridge  Asso- 
ciate church,  and  finished 
under  Dr.  Banks,  of  Phila- 
delphia. He  became  a 
probationer  of  the  Cam- 
bridge Presbytery,  July  lo, 
1828.  Mission  work  from 
Vermont  to  South  Caro- 
lina was  performed,  his  first  tour  through  A^irginia  be- 
ing in  Dec,  1828,  when  Old  Providence  first  heard  his 
voice. 

Other  calls  declined,  he  began  stated  labors  at  Old 
Providence,  Augusta  Co.,  and  Ebenezer  and  Timber 
Ridge,  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.,  Sept.  i,  1833.  A  call  was 
made  Oct.  2nd  and  his  ordination  and  installation  oc- 
curred March,  1834.  About  the  first  of  November,  1846, 
Ebenezer  was  demitted  that  another  pastoral  charge 
might  be  formed  with  Broad  Creek.  Two-thirds  time 
was  then  given  to  Old  Providence  and  one-third  to  Tim- 
ber Ridge. 

During  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  the  unhappy  de- 
liverances of  his  Synod  depleted  his  Presbytery.  About 
1840,  he  and  Rev.  John  Patrick,  Rev.  Archibald  Whyte 
declining,  found  it  impossible  to  execute  the  law  on 
slavery.  Either  they  must  leave  these  people  in  their  so- 
called  sins  or  fraternize  with  the  First  Presbytery.  They 
chose  the.  latter  and  formed  this  union  at  New  Perth, 
N.  C,  April  16,  1844.  This  closed  the  history  of  the 
Associate  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas.  On  the  15th  of 
May,   1832,  he  chose  as  his  life  companion   Miss  Eliza 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  367 

Kinnear,  of  Timber  Ridge  Congregation.  "She  proved 
a  gift  indeed  from  the  Lord.  In  her  were  verified  the 
words  of  Solomon :  'Whoso  findeth  a  wife  findeth  a  good 
thing.'  She  was  a  jewel— a  jewel  of  rare  value;  an  af- 
fectionate wife  and  a  loving  mother.'  " 

Though  born,  educated  and  licensed  in  N.  Y.,  he 
was  patriotic  to  his  section  and  loyal  to  the  land  of  his 
adoption. 

Himself  highly  cultured,  he  was  a  bright  light  and  an 
admired  companion  among  distinguished  men.  It  is  a 
high  compliment  to  be  elected  a  Trustee  of  Washington 
College,  now  W.  &  L.  University,  Lexington,  Va.  Yet 
for  fortv-one  years,  and  to  the  day  of  his  death  he  served 
in  this  capacity.  He  served  also  for  a  time  as  Prof,  of 
Belles  Lettres  and  Rhetoric.  During  the  Presidency  of 
Gen.  R.  E.  Lee,  it  was  his  privilege  to  be  on  intimate 
terms  with  him,  and  often  to  dine  at  his  table.  Recog- 
nizing his  ability,  Erskine  College  conferred  the  title  of 
D.  D.  in  1856. 

His  Synod  commissioned  him  to  carry  her  greetings 
to  the  General  Assembly  Southern  Presbyterian  Church, 
1872,  in  Richmond,  Va. 

In  the  fall  of  1880,  "the  infirmities  of  age"  compelled 
him  to  ask  for  an  assistant  pastor.  Rev.  S.  W.  Haddon 
began  stated  labors  as  assistant  pastor  Feb.  6th,  1881. 
After  two  days  illness,  the  blaster  called  him  higher. 
The  disease  was  pleuro-pneumonia. 

By  mutual  agreement,  Rev.  D.  C.  Irwin  preached  his 
funeral  sermon.  Revs.  S.  W.  Haddon,  R.  M.  Steven- 
son and  Alfred  Jones  assisted,  while  Gen.  Custiss  Lee, 
Pres.  W.  &  L.  University,  Profs.  Nelson  and  Harris, 
with  Elders  Callison  and  Brown  of  Old  Providence,  were 

pall  bearers. 

Dr.  Thompson  was  cultured  in  literature,  a  Chester- 
field in  manners  and  address,  eloquent  and  commanding 
in  the  pulpit  and  had  few  equals  in  descriptive  powers 
and  brilliant  imagination.     Among  the  cultured  and  elo- 


368  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

quent  ministers  in  the  far  famed  valley  of  Virginia  and 
classic  Lexington,  Dr.  Thompson  was  the  peer  of  any. 
He  could  approach  a  delicate  subject  with  much  tact, 
grace,  dignity  and  power.  His  name  is  indelibly  linked 
with  the  Virginia   Presbytery. 

For  50  years  he  served  his  church,  his  day  and  his 
generation,  with  rare  talent  and  eloquence. 

Thompson,  John  Andrczv. — Son  of  Dr.  H  Thomp- 
son was  bom  at  historic  Timber  Ridge,  Rockbridge  Co., 
Va.,  July  10,  1837.  Having  spent  some  time  in  Wash- 
ington College,  Lexington,  Va.,  he  graduated  at  Er- 
skine  College,  1858.  On  the  22nd  of  Oct.,  1867,  he  was 
happily  married  to  Miss  Eliza  Ida  Davenport,  of  Abing- 
don, Va.  Later  in  life,  after  a  course  in  divinity  at  Er- 
skine  Seminary,  he  was  licensed  by  the  Second  Presby- 
tery, April  8,  1893.  That  svimmer  and  fall  he  did  mis- 
sion work  in  the  First  Presbytery,  but  later  retired  from 
active  work  and  now  resides  at  the  old  Thompson  home- 
stead and  is  serving  officially  and  devotedly  Timber 
Ridge  church. 

Todd,  Rcr.  John  McClintock,  D.  £>.— Rev.  Dr.  Todd 
was  a  native  of  Laurens  County,  South  Carolina,  his 
birthplace  near  to  the  present  station  of  Langford  on  the 
Charleston  and  Western  Carolina  R.  R.  He  was  bom 
August  3rd,  1849,  ^^'^  was  the  son  of  James  Rogers  and 
Jane  McClintock  Todd. 

His  early  educational  advantages  were  good  for  his 
day;  he  attended  the  schools  of  his  community  and  was 
prepared  for  Erskine,  which  he  entered  in  due  time,  grad- 
uating in  1869. 

He  joined  the  church  early  in  life,  under  the  ministry 
of  Rev.  D.  F.  Haddon,  and  turned  his  thoughts  to  the 
ministry  upon  his  graduation.  He  entered  Erskine  Sem- 
inary in  1870,  having  previously  connected  with  the  Sec- 
ond Presbytery  at  Providence  church ;  finishing  his 
course,  he  was  licensed  at  Newberry  in   1872.     He  was 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  369 

soon  called  as  pastor  to  W'innsboro,  S.  C,  where  he  was 
ordained  and  installed  soon  after  his  licensure.  For 
seven  years  he  labored  in  this  field,  doing  most  acceptable 
and  faithful  work,  when  his  health  gave  way  and  he  was 
forced  to  resign. 

After  leaving  the  pastorate,  he  did  some  missionary 
work  for  a  time  in  Louisville,  Ky. ;  he  then  removed  to 
Due  West,  and  was  assistant  editor  of  the  A.  R.  Pres- 
byterian. In  the  summer  of  1883,  he  was  elected  to  the 
chair  of  Latin  and  French  in  Erskine  College.  He 
brought  to  his  professorship  in  the  college  the  same  en- 
ergy and  zeal  wdiich  he  had  shown  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  His  scholarship  was  unquestioned  and  he  was 
able  to  impart  readily  his  knowledge  to  others.  He  soon 
won  the  admiration  and  respect  of  the  students,  and  it  is 
safe  to  say  that  there  was  never  more  thorough  and  suc- 
cessful work  done  in  the  Latin  department  than  during 
the  term  of  Dr.  Todd's  professorship.  After  serving  the 
college  about  ten  years,  he  was  forced  again  to  give  up 
work  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  on  August  25th, 
1893,  in  the  45th  year  of  his  life,  he  was  called  from  his 
earthly  labors  to  his  reward.  As  a  preacher.  Dr.  Todd 
ranked  among  the  first.  His  discourses  were  scriptural, 
logical  and  full  of  unction.  He  had  a  splendid  grasp  of 
the  Calvinistic  system  of  theology  and  could  enforce  the 
doctrines  of  our  holy  religion  with  great  power.  In  his 
delivery,  he  was  full  of  earnestness,  his  prayers  and  his 
preaching  were  pervaded  by  a  tone  of  deep  spirituality, 
and  no  one  could  listen  to  him  without  being  impressed 
with  him,  as  a  man  of  God.  From  what  has  been  said, 
it  is  easy  to  see  that  his  work  was  blessed  wherever  he 
labored. 

Dr.  Todd  was  twice  married,  first  to  Miss  Alice  Brice, 
of  New  Hope,  S.  C,  daughter  of  Mr.  John  A.  Brice. 
There  were  seven  children  born  to  her,  of  which  only 
two  daughters  survive.  She  departed  this  life  in  1885. 
His  second  was  Miss  Belle  McClung,  of  Timber  Ridsfc. 
Virginia,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue. 
24  ' 


370 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


C.     E.     TODD. 


Todd,  Rev.  Charles  Ed- 
ward.— Rev.  Charles  E. 
Todd's  birthplace  was  near 
to  the  present  site  of 
Lang-ford,  in  Laurens  Co., 
S.  C,  within  the  bounds  of 
Bethel  congregation.  He 
was  the  son  of  James 
Rogers  Todd  and  Jane 
Law  McClintock,  and  was 
born  October  23rd,  1862. 
In  childhood  he  attended 
the  common  schools  near 
him,  but  on  his  father's  re- 
moval to  Due  West,  he 
entered  Erskine  College,  graduating  from  that  institution 
in  the  year  1881. 

He  entered  Erskine  Seminary  in  the  fall  of  that  year, 
having  previously  joined  the  Second  Presbytery.  He 
was  licensed  April  6th,  1883,  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  sent  to 
Doraville,  Ga.,  was  called  by  that  congregation,  and  set- 
tled as  pastor,  May  17,  1884.  His  work  was  greatly 
blessed  in  this  field.  The  congregation  had  been  in  a 
dormant  condition  for  some  time,  but  took  on  new  life 
under  Bro.  Todd's  energetic  and  consecrated  labors.  He 
remained  in  this  field  until  November,  1887,  when  the 
Board  of  Missions  called  upon  him  to  take  up  the  w^ork 
in  Charlotte,  N.  C.  If  his  work  at  Doraville  had  been 
eminently  successful,  much  more  was  it  blessed  in  Char- 
lotte. This  field  at  the  time  was  recognized  as  one  of 
the  most  difficult  in  Synod.  For  about  fourteen  years 
we  had  been  trying  to  establish  a  church  in  Charlotte, 
but  the  enterprise  was  still  regarded  an  experiment. 
A  new  building  must  be  had,  if  the  cause  was  to  succeed. 
Bro.  Todd  took  up  the  work,  brimfull  of  energy  and 
zeal.  He  made  the  matter  a  subject  of  earnest  prayer, 
and  it  was  not  lone  until  the  church  in  Charlotte  was 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  371 

growing  and  was  self  sustaining.  An  elegant  house  of 
worship  was  built  on  a  very  desirable  lot,  a  parsonage 
was  erected  near  by,  and  when  Bro.  Todd  laid  down  the 
work  in  May,  1895,  every  one  was  ready  to  call  him  "a 
workman  that  needcth  not  to  be  ashamed."  His  health 
failed  and  he  resigned  his  charge,  having  been  elected  to 
the  Presidency  of  the  Due  West  Female  College. 

Taking  up  the  work  here,  he  continued  his  connection 
with  the  College  vmtil  1899.  His  health  became  very 
much  broken,  and  he  was  compelled  to  give  up  teaching, 
but  he  had  in  his  term  of  office  put  new  life  into  the  col- 
lege, increased  the  number  of  pupils,  and  brought  it  pos- 
sibly to  its  period  of  greatest  usefulness.  After  a  brief 
rest,  in  which  he  was  connected  with  the  Due  West  bank 
as  cashier,  and  which  institution  he  helped  to  establish, 
he  again  supplied  the  pulpit  of  the  Charlotte  Church,  dur- 
ing Dr.  J.  T.  Chalmers'  absence  in  search  of  health  in 
Mexico.  After  about  a  year's  work  in  Charlotte,  Bro. 
Todd  was  appointed  agent  of  the  Twentieth  Century 
Fund.  The  object  of  this  fund  was  to  raise  $60,000  in 
five  years  for  the  two  colleges,  the  educational  work  in 
]\Iexico,  and  for  the  Home  Mission  work  in  the  towns 
and  cities.  Bro.  Todd  had  been  largely  instrumental  in 
starting  the  movement  to  raise  this  money  at  the  meeting 
of  Synod  in  Richland,  Tenn..  in  1901.  He  was  compelled 
to  give  up  his  canvass,  in  the  midst  of  promising  encour- 
agement, on  account  of  returning  ill  health.  Fie  suffered 
much  at  his  home  in  Due  West  for  a  number  of  months, 
was  taken  to  Baltimore  to  the  hospital,  and  died  from  the 
result  of  an  operation,  Sept.  3rd,  1902.  Cut  off  while  yet 
a  young  man,  he  had  yet  done  a  great  work  for  the  cause 
of  Christ  and  his  Church. 

Torres,  Rev.  Simon  S. — Home  missionar}-  of  the  Tam- 
pico  Presbytery  and  located  at  Tantoyuca,  State  of  A'era 
Cruz,  is  the  son  of  Estanislao  S.  Torres  and  Maria  Tru- 
jillo.  and  was  born  in  the  village  of  Somorelia,  State  of 


372  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

San  Luis  Potosi,  Republic  of  Mexico,  on  the  28th  of 
September,  1867.  He  was  baptized  in  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  \'illa  de  Cos,  State  of  Zacatecas,  at  the  age  of 
seven  years.  His  father  was  of  a  nomadic  disposition, 
and  he  never  enjo3'^ed  any  school  advantages  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  old. 

After  his  eighteenth  year,  he  lived  with  several  min- 
isters of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  at  dif- 
ferent places,  and  they  taught  him,  as  opportunity  of- 
fered. He  received  a  scholarship  at  The  Laurens  Insti- 
tute of  the  M.  E.  Church  South,  in  Monterey,  Mexico, 
and  spent  about  two  years  under  the  direction  of  Rev. 
B.  G.  Marsh.  He  was  early  impressed  by  the  gospel  in 
his  wanderings,  and,  when  young,  was  received  as  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church  at  Mesquiz  in  the  State 
of  Coahuila.  After  leaving  the  school  in  Monterey,  he 
drifted  down  into  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz  and  at  his  own 
expense   began   evangelistic   work   in   Tantoyuca. 

From  this  place  he  appealed  to  the  missionary  at  Tam- 
pico  for  moral  support  and  in  1896,  he  was  received  as 
a  member  of  the  Tampico  Presbytery,  and  licensed  and 
sent  out  as  the  first  domestic  missionary  of  the  A.  R.  P. 
Church  in  the  foreign  field  and  is  supported  by  the  Tam- 
pico Presbytery.  He  was  ordained  at  El  Maiz,  State 
of  San  Luis  Potosi  in  May,  1897.  He  is  a  very  plain, 
unpretending  preacher  of  the  gospel  of  salvation  and  is 
loyal  to  his  adopted  church,  but,  like  Jeremiah,  his  mes- 
sage is  misunderstood  and  unheeded  by  those  whom  he 
longs  to  bring  to  Christ. 

He  was  married  to  one  of  his  converts  in  Tantoyuca, 
Srita  Marcelina  Echavarri,  on  the  22nd  of  May,  1896. 
They  have  three  children  :  Samuel,  Ester  and  Elias.  The 
second  was  translated  in  infancy. 

Tnijillo,  Rev.  Pedro. — The  first  native  preacher  of  the 
A.  R.  P.  Church  in  Mexico,  the  Rev.  Pedro  Trujillo  is 
the  son  of  Cipriano  Trujillo  and  Micaela  Brito,  and  was 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  373 

born  on  the  29th  of  April,  1846,  in  the  city  of  Mexico. 
He  received  his  training  in  the  pubHc  schools  of  the  city 
of  his  birth.  He  took  a  commercial  course  and  received 
the  honor  of  his  class,  being  awarded  a  premium  given 
by  the  President  of  the  Republic,  Hon.  Benito  Juarez. 

In  1868,  when  the  Protestant  movement  began  in 
Mexico,  Sr.  P.  Trujillo  was  among  the  first  to  identify 
himself  with  the  cause  and  became  a  member  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church,  San  Jose  de  Gracia.  He  soon  severed  his 
communion  with  the  Episcopal  Church  and  transferred 
his  membership  to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  then  under 
the  superintendence  of  Rev.  M.  N.  Hutchinson.  In  1875, 
he  and  several  others  began  a  Bible  study,  directed  by 
Mr.  Hutchinson,  having  in  view  the  work  of  an  evangel- 
ist. In  December,  1875,  Sr.  Trujillo  was  sent  to  Tam- 
pico  to  prepare  the  field  there  for  gospel  work.  He  la- 
bored in  Tampico  without  much  visible  results  until  that 
post  was  transferred  to  the  Mission  of  the  A.  R.  P. 
Church.  In  1880,  he  was  given  a  certificate  to  the  mis- 
sion work  in  Tampico,  and  he  took  up  with  the  mission- 
ary a  regular  course  of  study  covering  about  two  years, 
and  was  given  a  Missionary's  certificate  to  preach. 

By  order  of  Synod,  at  a  meeting,  at  Chester,  So.  Ca., 
in  1883,  the  missionary  at  Tampico,  Mex.,  was  authorized 
to  ordain  elders,  and  then  he  called  a  meeting  of  delegates 
from  the  eldership  ordained  and  "ordain  Sr.  Trujillo  to 
the  full  work  of  the  ministry."  The  delegation  'met  in 
Tampico,  and  was  composed  of  the  missionary  and  Elders 
Zenon  Zaleta  and  Acadia  Gallardo,  who  ordained  Sr. 
Trujillo  on  the  27th  of  ]\Iarch,  1884.  Plis  work  has  been 
in  Tampico  and  points  around.  He  is  an  earnest  and 
good  preacher,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  of  the  people 
among  whom  he  has  labored.  He  was  married  in  Tam- 
pico to  Sra.  Placida  Pizanya  \^.da  de  Ambros.  on  the  7th 
of  March,  1878.     He  has  no  children. 


374 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


Turner,  Thomas. — Was  born  April  7th,  1808,  at  Pen- 
dleton, Anderson  Co.,  S.  C.  His  father  was  James 
Turner,  and  his  mother  Miss  Martha  Dickey.  He  had 
very  limited  educational  opportunities.  His  parents 
were  poor  and  he  had  to  work  on  the  farm.  He  at- 
tended, when  he  had  the  opportunity,  an  old  field  school, 
and  was  assisted  some  by  John  S.  Pressly  and  Rev. 
Henry  Bryson.  He  graduated  in  1832  from  Miami  Uni- 
versity. He  studied  Theology  at  Allegheny,  Pa.,  and  was 
licensed  by  the  Second  Presbytery  in  1835.  He  was  or- 
dained by  the  same  Presbytery  in  1836. 

He  was  installed  pastor  of  Hopewell  Church,  Newton 
Co.,  Ga.,  in  1836,  and  continued  pastor  of  this  church 
until  1852.  He  then  removed  to  Dalton,  laboring  there 
and  in  other  vacancies  for  four  years.  In  1856  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Carmi,  Illinois,  took  charge 
of  West  Union  Church.  He  remained  here  until  1861, 
when,  on  account  of  the  war,  he  returned  South.  Liv- 
ing at  Dalton,  Ga.,  he  traveled  during  the  war  and  acted 
as  chaplain  in  the  Confederate  Army.  On  Oct.  13th 
1836,  he  was  married  in  Green  Co.,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Martha 
B.  Crane,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children.  After  the 
war  he  returned  North  and  lived  on  a  farm  near  Trum- 
bull, Illinois.  On  account  of  age  and  infirmity,  he 
was  never  able  to  preach  regularly  again.  His  wife  died 
Sept.  20th,  1879.  He  died  April  26th,  1890,  aged  82. 
He  was,  especially  in  his  early  ministerial  life,  an  able 
and  successful  preacher.  He  organized  in  Georgia  a 
number  of  churches.  He  was  a  man  of  remarkable 
faith,  did  a  vast  amount  of  missionating  over  many 
States,  and  endured  great  hardness  as  a  good  soldier  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Wallace,  Miss  Fannie  Lynn. — Missionary  to  Mexico. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  only  daughter  of  Mr. 
William  Wallace  and  Mary  Susan  Higgins,  and  was 
born  on  the  31st  of  March,  1873,  in  the  bounds  of  New 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


375 


MISS      WALLACE. 


Hope  congregation,  Gar- 
rard Co.,  Ky.  The  advan- 
tages which  she  enjoyed  in 
the  parental  home  were 
blessed  for  good.  As  a 
child,  she  was  remarkable 
for  her  quiet,  studious  dis- 
position. She  imbibed  in 
her  early  years  the  teach- 
ings of  the  gospel,  and  at 
the  age  of  twelve  years 
made  a  public  profession 
of  her  faith  at  Kirksville, 
Ky.  Careful  attention 
was  given  to  her  instruc- 
tion and  seeds  were  sown  that  bore  blessed  fruit.  She 
received  her  collegiate  education  at  the  Due  West  Female 
College,  Abbeville  Co..  S.  C,  and  was  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  June,  1890,  with  the  first  honors  of 
her  class. 

She  took  a  post  graduate  course  in  one  of  the  schools 
of  Ohio,  was  for  awhile  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools, 
and  afterwards  took  position  as  teacher  in  one  of  the 
schools  of  Corsicana,  Texas.  Her  activity  and  zeal  in  the 
work  of  the  Master  was  made  prominent  during  her 
stay  in  Corsicana.  She  resigned  her  school  and  church 
work  there  to  give  herself  to  the  Foreign  ^Missionary 
work  in  Mexico.  She  took  a  special  course  at  the 
Moody  Institute,  Chicago,  preparatory  to  entering  on 
her  work,  and  in  Nov.,  1900,  was  sent  to  Mexico,  to  take 
the  place  made  vacant  in  Juarez  Seminary  for  girls  at 
Tampico,  State  of  Tamaulipas. 

She  arrived  at  the  mission  home  in  Tampico  Dec.  28th, 
1900,  and  immediately  gave  herself  to  the  study  of  the 
Spanish  language  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Pressly. 
She  was  a  ready  and  diligent  pupil,  and  her  progress 
was  beyond  the  average.     After  four  months  of  study, 


376  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

she  began  to  take  work  in  the  school,  and  at  the  beginning 
of  the  session  of  1901,  she  took  a  full  share  of  the  school 
work,  and  was  beginning  to  take  an  active  part  in  Chris- 
tian work.  Her  labors  as  a  herald  in  the  mission  field 
were  finished  in  the  short  space  of  twenty-three  and  a 
half  months,  and  the  Reaper  claimed  her  as  one  of  his 
sheaves,  when  she  had  scarcely  entered  upon  the  thres- 
hold of  her  chosen  work. 

After  an  illness  of  eight  days,  she  fell  a  victim  of 
yellow  fever,  at  the  mission  home,  in  Tampico,  on  Sab- 
bath day,  the  i6th  of  Nov.,  1902.  Her's  was  the  death 
of  a  Christian  whose  hope  is  stayed  on  God.  About  the 
last  words  uttered  before  her  reason  began  to  fail,  were, 
"I  am  resigned  to  God's  will.  My  heart  is  at  peace  with 
God."  As  the  Sabbath  morning  dawned,  her  soul  was 
wafted  to  the  land  of  eternal  Sabbaths,  and  late  that 
evening  she  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  burying  ground 
at  Tampico,  under  a  mound  of  flowers,  in  the  presence 
of  all  her  co-workers,  the  pupils  of  the  school,  all  the 
members  of  the  congregation,  and  a  large  concourse  of 
friends.  The  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  Dr.  N. 
E.  Pressly  and  Rev.  P.  Trujillo,  at  the  ^mission  home, 
and  at  the  grave,  both  in  Spanish  and  English, 

God  called,  "so  she  took 


"The  one  grand  step  beyond  the  stars  of  God, 
Into  the  splendor,  shadowless  and  broad, 
Into  the  everlasting  joy  and  light, 
The  zenith  of  the  earthlv  life  was  come." 


Wallace,  JoJui. — Standing  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware 
River,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  summer  of  1823, 
might  be  seen  a  vessel  coming  in.  A  young  Irishman 
gladly  steps  on  American  soil.  Equipped  with  license 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Ahoghill,  Ireland,  he  presents  it 
and  himself,  Aug.  20th,  1823,  to  the  Associate  Presbytery 
of  Philadelphia.  June  28th,  1824  was  a  red  letter  day 
for  New  Lebanon.  West  Va.     She  was  arraved  in  her 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  377 

bridal  dress.  The  bridegroom  was  the  ordained  and  in- 
stalled John  Wallace,  born  in  County  Antrim,  Ireland, 
Nov.,  1799,  his  literary  training  at  Belfast,  his  divinity 
at  Edinburg.  Dr.  A.  Heron  and  others  of  the  Carolina 
Presbytery  ofificiated.  Some  time  afterward  there  was 
another  marriage,  the  groom  being  the  pastor  and  the 
bride  Miss  Nancy  Ann  Crawford,  aunt  of  the  late  John 
Hampden  Crawford,  of  Greenbrier  Co.,  West  Va.  She 
was  born  January  2nd,  1804,  and  died  Oct.  23rd,  1829. 
This  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  March  23,  1832, 
and  he  preached  in  Illinois  till  1858,  when  he  retired 
from  active  ministerial  duty  and  died  on  his  farm  near 
Little  York,  Warren  Co.,  111.,  Dec.  20,  1875.  His  minis- 
try is  well  remembered  in  West  Virginia  and  his  faithful 
preaching  and  persistent  catechizing  are  bearing  fruit. 

Walker,  James  McCullongh. — Rev.  James  M.  Walker 
was  the  son  of  Hon.  John  W^alker,  and  was  born  in 
Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  Nov.  ist,  1829  .  He  graduated 
at  Davidson  College,  N.  C,  in  1847,  and  soon  afterwards 
entered!  Erskine  Seminary,  graduating  in  1849,  ^^^^  "^^'^^ 
licensed  by  the  First  Presbytery  in  September  of  the 
same  year. 

He  supplied  Cedar  Springs,  in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C, 
for  awhile,  and  spent  a  year  at  Millersburg,  Ky.  He 
was  called  to  Sardis  Church  in  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C, 
and  was  installed  May  9th,  1851.  Some  time  after  being 
called  to  Sardis,  he  was  sent  to  supply  the  mission  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  for  awhile,  but  did  not  give  up  his 
pastorate  at  Sardis,  where  he  continued  pastor  until 
1858,  when  he  resigned,  and  entered  the  Southern  Pres- 
byterian Church.  In  1859,  ^^'^  took  charge  of  Philadel- 
phia Church,  in  N.  C,  but  died  of  typhoid  fever,  April 
15th,   i860,  and  is  buried  in  Sardis  graveyard. 

Mr.  Walker  was  married  May  13th,  185 1,  to  Elizabeth 
Jane  Harris,  of  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C.  The  fruit  of 
this  marriage  was  four  children,  two  of  whom  died  in 


378  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

infancy.  Edgar  H.  Walker,  of  Charlotte,  N.  C,  and 
Mrs.  Walter  S.  Pharr,  of  Sardis,  N.  C,  are  those  who 
are  living.  Mrs.  Walker  afterwards  married  Mr.  R.  M. 
White,  of  Charlotte,  N.  C,  by  whom  she  had  two  chil- 
dren. 

It  is  a  rather  unusual  thing,  but  it  is  true  in  this  case, 
that  Mrs.  White,  and  Rev.  Jas.  M.  Walker's  children, 
Mr.  E.  H.  Walker  and  Mrs.  W.  S.  Pharr,  are  all  useful 
and  active  members  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church. 

Waller,  William  Tozviis. — Son  of  Nathaniel  Waller  and 
Anna  Amelia  Bender,  was  born  in  Selma,  Ala.,  Nov.  i8, 

1854. 

His  father  was  for  65  years  an  honored  citizen  of 
Selma,  Ala.,  and  for  60  years  an  elder  in  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  very  successful  in  busi- 
ness and  died  full  of  years  and  honor  and  enjoying  the 
love  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  gave  most  liberally  to 
the  support  of  the  gospel  while  he  lived  and  left  a  leg- 
acy to  the  same  at  his  death. 

Mr.  Waller  had  good  advantages  in  the  way  of  early 
educational  training.  He  was  reared  in  part  under  the 
ministry  of  Dr.  W.  J  Lowry,  and  by  his  influence  he  was 
sent  to  Erskine  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1875. 
While  at  college,  he  joined  the  church  at  Due  West,  in 
1872  or  1873.  He  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theol- 
ogy by  the  Second  Presbytery  and  took  the  course  in  Er- 
skine Theological  Seminary.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel  by  the  Second  Presbytery  in  1878,  at  Kings 
Creek,  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C,  and  was  ordained  by  this 
Presbytery  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  Nov.,  1877. 

He  labored  one  year  as  Synod's  missionary  at  Lebanon 
and  Camden  and  six  years  at  Charlotte,  N.  C.  He  mar- 
ried, March  4,  1874.  at  Due  West,  S.  C,  Miss  Kittie  L. 
Bonner,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L  Bonner  and  Mrs.  A. 
A.  (Lindsay)  Bonner.  She  was  born  Sept.  13,  1853, 
and  has  borne  him  ten  children. 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS.  379 

In  1884,  Rev.  Waller  connected  with  the  A.  S.  Pres- 
byterian Church,  identifying  with  the  Tuscaloosa  Pres- 
bytery of  the  Synod  of  Alabama.  He  was  recently 
pastor  of  the  Camden,  Ala.,  Presbyterian  Church. 

iraft.  James  Bell. — Rev.  James  Bell  Watt  was  born  in 
Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  April  4th,  1820,  and  was  the  son  of 
James  Watt  and  Margaret  Bell.  After  attending  the 
common  schools  of  the  country,  he  entered  Erskine  Col- 
lege, but  did  not  complete  the  full  collegiate  course.  Soon 
after  leaving  college,  he  married  ^liss  Xancy  Bell,  of 
Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  and  when  he  connected  with  the 
church  and  gave  his  life  to  the  ministry,  he  entered  the 
Associate  Reformed  Church,  and  pursued  his  Theolog- 
ical studies  under  Rev.  James  Boyce,  D.  D.,  and  was  li- 
censed by  the  First  Presbytery  in  1843. 

In  1844  he  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  Steele 
Creek  and  Sardis  churches,  in  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C. 
After  laboring  in  this  wide  field  for  five  or  six  years,  he 
was  released  from  Sardis,  and  for  seven  or  eight  years 
longer  he  continued  pastor  of  Steele  Creek.  In  1858  he 
severed  his  connection  with  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  and  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church 
and  was  soon  called  to  Steele  Creek  and  Pleas- 
ant II ill  churches  in  that  denomination.  In  i860  he  was 
attacked  by  typhoid  fever  and  died  Sept.  i6th  of  that 
year. 

\\'hilc  pastor  of  Steele  Creek  A.  R.  Church,  his  first 
wife  died,  leaving  three  children,  and  he  was  subse- 
quently married  to  IMiss  Louisa  A.  Neel,  daughter  of 
Gen.  Wm.  Xeel.  of  Mecklenburg  Co.,  X.  C,  who  with 
three  children  still  survive. 

IVeed,  James  Penny. — Son  of  Xathaniel  \\"eed  and 
Polly  Wiseman,  was  bom  in  South  Carolina,  in  Abbeville 
(or  Laurens)  County,  April  6,  1820.  In  his  childhood 
a  severe  case  of  sickness  made  him  an  invalid  for  life. 
He  graduated  in  Erskine  College,  September  20,    1843. 


380  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

He  studied  Theology  at  Due  West,  in  Erskine  Seminary. 
He  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  by  the  Second 
Presbytery,  at  Long  Cane,  S.  C,  October  7,  1845.  For 
a  year  or  two  he  engaged  in  missionary  work,  but  having 
been  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Troy,  Tenn.,  church, 
he  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  that  congregation 
April  17,  1847,  by  the  Tennessee  Presbytery,  which  re- 
lation continued  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  married 
to  Mary  Moffatt,  a  daughter  of  James  Moffatt,  of  Troy, 
Tenn.     She  bore  him  three  children. 

He  was  married  the  second  time  to  Miss  Eliza  Terrell, 
who  died  without  issue.  He  enjoyed  the  heritage  of  a 
godly  ancestry,  a  people  of  decided  religious  convictions. 
Mr.  Weed  was  much  afflicted  physically, — an  intense  suf- 
ferer. He  was  a  nervous  wreck,  yet  his  mental  quali- 
ties were  of  a  high  order.  He  was  a  student  from  youth 
to  old  age — possessed  of  a  retentive  memory  and  a  pow- 
erful, chaste  imagination.  He  was  an  eloquent,  impress- 
ive preacher,  and  a  man  of  extensive  information.  It 
was  refreshing  to  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord  by  his 
mouth. 

Weed,  John  Young. — Son  of  Nathaniel  Weed,  of 
Starkville,  Miss.,  graduated  at  Erskine  College,  1854. 
Brother  of  Rev.  J.  P.  Weed.  Studied  at  Erskine  Theo- 
logical Seminary ;  licensed  by  Second  Presbytery  in  the 
fall  of  1855  ;  died  July  11,  1856.  In  the  mysterious  prov- 
idence of  God,  about  one  year  after  his  licensure,  he  was 
called  away.     He  lies  buried  at  Starkville,  Miss. 

White,  George  Rufns,  D.  D.—Rev.  G.  R.  White,  D.  D. 
was  born  at  Elk  Shoals,  Alexander  Co.,  N.  C,  April  20th, 
1846,  and  is  the  son  of  James  Parks  White  and  Jane 
Amanda  Moore.  His  academic  education  was  received 
at  Elk  Shoals  Academy,  and  he  graduated  at  Erskine  Col- 
lege in  1 87 1.  He  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology 
by  the  First  Presbytery  at  Back  Creek,  N.  C,  Sept.  4th, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


381 


KE  V.    G.    K.    ^\Hn^,   U.    D. 


1 87 1,  prosecuted  his  theo- 
logical studies  at  Erskine 
Seminary,  and  was  li- 
censed by  the  First  Pres- 
bytery, at  Ebenezer,  N.  C, 
July  i8th,  1873. 

He  was  ordained  at  a 
special  meeting  of  the 
First  Presbytery,  October 
14th,  1874.  For  some 
time  after  his  licensure  he 
supplied  vacancies  in  the 
First  and  Second  Pres- 
byteries, and  also  in  the 
Kentucky  Presbytery,  and 
was  called  as  pastor  of  Ebenezer  Church  in  Mecklen- 
burg Co.,  N.  C,  and  installed  Oct.  29th,  1876,  and  has 
continued  pastor  there  ever  since.  Dr.  White  was  mar- 
ried at  Due  West,  S.  C,  Sept.  i8th,  1873,  to  Miss  Laura 
Elizabeth  Grier,  the  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  R.  C.  Grier 
and  Barbara  Brown  Moffatt.  Mrs.  White  was  born  at 
Due  West,  S.  C,  Oct.  12th,  1849- 

The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  on 
Mr.  White  by  the  Trustees  of  Erskine  College.  In  his 
youth.  Dr.  White  served  one  year  in  the  Confederate 
Army,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  Captain  in  the  Junior 
Reserves. 

Dr.  White  is  an  able  preacher  and  a  successful  pastor, 
and  has  long  been  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  leaders  of 
the  Synod.  He  has  frequently  served  on  various  Boards 
of  the  church,  and  has  been  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board 
of  Home  IMissions  ever  since  its  organization. 


IVhite,  John  Alexander.— Re\.  J.  A.  White  is  the  son 
of  Matthew  White  and  Mary  Torbit,  and  was  born  near 
Chester,  S.  C,  Nov.  22nd,  1852.  His  early  education 
was   received   in   the   schools   of  the   neighb(M-hood   until 


38-- 


SKETCHES     OF     ^IINISTERS. 


J.    A.    WHITE. 


he  entered  Erskine  College 
m  Oct.,  1869,  graduating 
in  1872.  On  Aug.  5th, 
1070,  he  united  with  the 
church  of  Hopewell,  Ches- 
ter Co.,  S.  C,  of  which 
church  his  parents  and 
grandparents,  both  pa- 
ternal and  maternal  were 
members,  and  of  which 
he  himself  was  destined  to 
become   pastor. 

He  joined  the  First 
Presbytery,  at  King's 
Mountain,  N.  C,  in 
March,  1879,  and  studied  Theology  in  Erskine  Sem- 
inary, being  licensed  by  the  First  Presb\i:ery  at 
Neely's  Creek,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  July  30th,  1878.  He 
supplied  the  churches  of  Winnsboro  and  Hopewell  for 
several  months,  and  was  called  to  Hopewell  in  March, 
1879,  3.nd  was  ordained  and  installed  May  23rd  of  the 
same  year,  and  still  continues  pastor  of  Hopewell.  In 
1881,  Mr.  White  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  White 
Oak  church,  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C,  in  connection  with 
Hopewell,  and  this  relation  continued  for  eleven  years, 
when  he  resigned,  in  order  that  White  Oak  might  call 
a  pastor  for  all  his  time.  He  was  married,  in  Mecklen- 
burg Co.,  N.  C,  Dec.  14th,  1881,  to  Miss  Susan  Grier 
Lewis,  who  was  born  at  Lewis  Turn  Out,  in  Chester 
Co.,  S.  C,  June  29th,  1854,  and  is  the  mother  of  two 
sons. 

Mrs.  White  is  the  daughter  of  John  B.  Lewis  and  Mar- 
garet J.  Wliyte,  and  is  the  granddaughter  of  the  Rev. 
Archibald  Whyte  of  the  Associate  Church.  Mr.  White 
is  the  fifth  ])astor  that  Hopewell  has  had  in  a  history  of 
one  hundred  and  thirteen  years.  All  his  predecessors  lie 
buried  in  the  cemeterv  hard  bv  the  church  where  thev 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


383 


all  served  so  well,  and  the  indications  are  that  ]\Ir.  White 
will  spend  his  life  as  the  pastor  of  this  old,  historic 
church,  and  sleep  at  last  w^ith  the  fathers  near  the  scene 
of  his  life's  labors. 


White,  James  Meek. — 
Rev.  J.  ^I.  White  is  the 
son  of  Closes  W'hite  and 
JMartha  Shaw  McGill,  and 
was  born  near  Hickory 
Grove,  in  York  Co.,  S.  C, 
Sept.    nth,    1864. 

He  graduated  from  Er- 
skine  College,  June,  1890, 
and  in  September  of  the 
same  year  was  received  as 
a  student  of  theology  by 
the  First  Presbytery  at 
Welford,  S.  C.  studied 
theology  at  Erskine  Sem- 
inar}-, and  was  licensed  b}'  the  First  I'resbytcry,  at  Char- 
lotte, X.  C,  April  6th,  1892. 

Mr.  White  was  stated  supply  at  New  Hope  and  Mt. 
Olivet,  Ky..  from  Jul\-,  1892,  until  Oct.,  1893,  and  was 
ordained  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  Xov.  6th,  1893,  by  the 
First  Presbytery. 

He  supplied  the  churches  at  Russellville,  Little  Rock 
and  Zion,  Ark.,  from  Nov.,  1893,  ^^"itil  Oct.,  1894.  and 
then  went  to  Hopewell  and  Head  Springs,  Tenn.  In  the 
fall  of  1895  he  was  installed  over  Hopewell  and  Head 
Springs,  Tenn.  He  remained  pastor  here  for  several 
years,  demitting  Head  Springs  in  ]\Iay,  1898,  and  Hope- 
well in  Sept.,  1899.  In  Oct..  1900.  he  was  called  to  the 
united  charge  of  Unity,  Gills  Creek,  and  Pleasant  Hill, 
in  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  and  was  installed  over  the  united 
charge  at  LTnity.  on  April  9th.  1901.  He  still  continues 
pastor  of  these  churches. 


384  SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 

jNIr.  White  was  married  July  6th,  1892,  to  Miss  Mary 
Eliza  Scott,  of  York  Co.,  S.  C,  and  they  have  four  chil- 
dren. 

Mrs.  White  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Martin  Scott, 
and  Isabella  Gilfillan,  of  Sharon,  S.  C,  and  was  born 
Dec.  13th,  1868. 

Whyte,  Archibald. — Son  of  Rev.  Archibald  and  Mar- 
garet (Kerr),  born  in  Argyle,  New  York,  Aug.  3rd, 
1800;  was  graduated  at  Union  College,  Schenectady,  N. 
Y.,  in  1822;  spent  four  terms  in  the  Associate  Seminary, 
Philadelphia,  and  received  license  from  the  Cambridge 
Presbytery  June  19th,  1826.  Early  in  Nov.,  1826,  he 
preached  in  the  Carolinas,  spending  most  of  1827.  Dur- 
ing this  year  he  received  calls  from  New  Stirling,  Cam- 
bridge and  Gilead,  N.  C,  and  from  Putnam,  Washing- 
ton Co.,  N.  Y.  These  declined,  his  ordination  and  in- 
stallation, Dec.  5th,  1827,  took  place  over  the  infant  con- 
gregation of  Associate  Presbyterians  in  Baltimore,  Md. 

In  the  summer  of  1833,  he  demitted  Baltimore  and 
accepted  a  call  to  the  united  charge  of  Steel  Creek  and 
Bethany  (Back  Creek)  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C.  These 
were  seven  years  of  lonely  work  and  special  trial,  yet 
his  congregation  increased  from  55  families  and  128 
members  to  65  families  and  153  members.  During  most 
of  the  period  till  1840  his  Presbytery  consisted  of  him- 
self and  Dr.  Thompson  of  Virginia.  He,  with  his  Pres- 
bytery, declined  the  authority  of  the  Associate  Synod 
because  of  her  stringent  and  impracticable  act  on  slavery 
and  "were  suspended,  in  June,  1840,  until  they  acknowl- 
edged their  sin,  and  returned  to  their  duty."  At  this  crisis, 
Rev.  Thomas  S.  Kendall  "was  dispatched  with  a  letter 
to  explain  and  enforce  the  views  of  Synod  and  to  warn 
th^m  against  countenancing  the  ministry  of  their  for- 
mer pastors."  It  was  on  this  mission,  the  second  Sab- 
bath of  Aug.,  1840,  after  a  public  worship  at  Smyrna, 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  that  Rev.  Kendall  was  humiliated  by 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  385 

some  of  the  baser  sort — a  deed  deplored  by  all  good  peo- 
ple. His  personal  reflections  on  Rev.  Whyte  during  that 
occasion  were  groundless  and  unnecessary.  About  this 
tin\e,  Mr.  Whyte  demitted  his  charge,  and  being  under 
suspension  and  out  of  sympathy  with  his  Presbytery,  and 
declining  to  enter  the  union,  April  15th,  1844,  he  turned 
planter  and  politician. 

While  in  Baltimore,  he  married  Miss  Susan  Grier, 
sister  of  the  late  Col.  Wm.  Grier,  a  prominent  citizen  and 
elder  in  Steele  Creek  Associate  Church.  This  estimable 
lady  died  in  the  fall  of  1834.  One  daughter  survived, 
who  became  by  marriage  Mrs.  Margaret  J.  Lewis. 

A  second  marriage  was  contracted  with  Mrs.  Campbell, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Hart.  She  died  in 
1850.  He  lived  near  Nation  Ford,  in  the  bounds  of 
Xeely's  Creek,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  with  which  some  time 
before  his  death  he  connected.  He  served  one  or  two 
terms  in  the  S.  C.  Legislature,  and  many  times  in  State 
and  Congressional  conventions.  It  was  on  one  of  these 
occasions  doubtless  the  Speaker  asked :  "Who  is  that 
gentleman  that  has  just  addressed  me?"'  On  being  told 
it  was  Mr.  Whyte,  of  York  District,  replied :  "In  all  my 
life  I  have  never  been  addressed  with  so  much  grace  and 
dignity." 

"Rev.  A.  W'hyte  w^as  regarded  as  having  the  brightest 
mind  in  his  day.  He  was  a  smooth,  fine  speaker,  using 
the  best  language,  never  uttering  an  unchaste  word, 
very  attractive  in  person  and  demeanor,  and  liked  by  all. 
He  was  also  very  useful  in  his  community,  understood 
law,  and  was  a  magistrate  many  years." 

As  the  great  civil  struggle,  '61 -'65,  was  closing,  the 
struggle  of  his  old  self,  his  better  nature,  his  godly  train- 
ing, drove  away  the  clouds.  He  yearned  to  put  on  the 
harness,  and  was  taking  steps  to  be  admitted  a  minister 
in  the  First  Presbytery  when  death  claimed  him  Aug. 
the  8th,  1865. 
25 


386 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


JOHN      WILSON. 


Wilson,  Rev.  John. — 
Was  bora  July  13,  1805, 
in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  on 
the  western  frontier  of 
Hopewcllf.  His  father, 
Archibald  Wilson,  when  a 
young-  man  came  from  Ire- 
land in  the  same  ship  with 
Ivev.  William  Blackstocks. 
lie  married  Miss  Martha 
McQuiston,  and  died  in 
1826.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  joined  Hopewell 
church  early  in  life.  When 
21  years  old,  though  pos- 
sessed of  only  an  English  education  and  $150,  he  re- 
solved to  fit  himself  for  the  gospel  ministry.  He  studied 
at  Chester  and  Edgefield,  S.  C,  and  took  a  course  in 
Miami  University,  Oxford,  O.,  receiving  the  A.  B.  and 
A.  M.  degrees  in  1833.  He  studied  theology  in  Alle- 
gheny Seminary,  graduating  in  1835.  He  taught  school 
at  times  during  these  years  of  study. 

Along  with  Thomas  Turner  and  others,  he  was  licensed 
by  the  First  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery  of  Ohio, 
'April  24,  1835.  He  and  Mr.  Turner  took  their  journey 
toward  the  South,  traveling  on  horseback,  through  Indi- 
ana, Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Geor- 
gia and  South  Carolina.  On  this  trip  they  preached  on 
Sabbaths.  They  sometimes  spent  two  or  more  Sabbaths 
at  a  place,  but  often  rode  from  four  to  six  days  from 
one  appointment  to  another.  They  reached  South  Caro- 
lina during  the  summer,  and  supplied  vacancies  until  the 
meeting  of  Synod.  He  was  directed  to  spend  two  months 
in  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  and  the  remainder  of  the  year  in 
the  First  Presbytery.  The  Synod  of  1836  returned  him 
to  Tennessee,  and  authorized  the  organization  of  the 
Presbytery    of    Tennessee.      This    was    done    at    Salem, 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  387 

Tenn.,  April  24,  1837.  During  this  meeting  he  was  or- 
dained and  installed  pastor  of  Salem  and  Sardis.  Ten 
years  later,  he  demitted  the  pastoral  charge  of  Sardis, 
and  gave  his  entire  time  to  Salem.  In  Oct.,  1837,  he 
married  Miss  Eliza,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Hemphill, 
D.  D.,  pastor  of  Hopewell,  S.  C,  and  a  sister  of  Rev.  W. 
R.  Hemphill,  D.  D.  She  died  in  August,  1841.  He  was 
married  again  to  ^liss  Arpasia  H.  Butler,  Oxford,  O.,  in 
Oct.,  1844.  This  was  just  before  the  meeting  of  Synod 
at  Ebenezer,  Ky. 

After  the  meeting  adjourned,  he  and  his  bride,  in  com- 
pany with  other  members  of  Synod,  took  passage  for  the 
home  trip  on  the  Lucy  Walker,  a  steamer  bound  for 
New  Orleans.  About  38  years  after,  in  writing  an  ac- 
count of  what  occurred,  he  said,  "when  we  were  about 
five  miles  below  Xew  Albany,  Ind.,  we  felt  a  sudden 
shock,  and  a  trembling  of  the  boat,  and  soon  found  that 
the  boilers  had  burst.  Those  in  the  front  part  of  the 
boat  were  scattered  in  every  direction,  many  maimed, 
some  killed  and  others  thrown  into  the  river."  About  50 
lives  were  lost.  Rev.  Joseph  McCreary,  and  Mr.  Wm. 
Watt,  an  elder  from  Starkville,  Miss.,  were  killed.  Revs. 
J.  M.  Young  and  David  Pressly,  and  elder  W.  R. 
McCain,  of  Salem,  Tenn.,  were  wounded.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wilson  escaped  injury,  and  were  picked  up  by  a  snag 
boat  that  happened  to  be  near  by.  His  pastorate  at  Sa- 
lem was  a  faithful  one.  The  congregation  increased  to 
more  than  100  families.  The  work  became  so  heavy  that 
at  his  request  the  congregation  called  an  assistant  pastor 
in  1862.  Besides  the  oversight  of  this  church,  he  visited 
other  counties  in  Tennessee,  also  IMississippi  and  Arkan- 
sas. Thus  he  was  called  on  to  look  after  destitute  com- 
munities. He  organized  or  assisted  in  organizing  most 
of  the  churches  under  the  care  of  the  Memphis  Presby- 
tery. About  the  close  of  the  civil  war,  at  his  urgent  and 
repeated  request,  the  congregation  agreed  to  release  him 
from  his  pastoral  charge.     The  relation  was  dissolved  the 


388 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


31st  of  Dec,  1865.  He  had  planned  to  move  immediately 
to  jMonticello,  Ark.,  but  was  delayed  a  year.  He  took 
up  the  work  in  Arkansas  early  in  1867.  His  going  into 
that  field  just  then  meant  a  great  deal  to  the  Associate 
Reformed  Church.  He  became  stated  supply  at  Monti- 
cello,  Saline  and  Hickory  Spring,  and  in  a  few  years  at 
Ebenezer.  Others  came  to  his  assistance  from  time  to 
time,  but  the  burden  of  the  work  was  on  him  for  some 
years.  He  gave  up  regular  work  in  1881.  His  wife 
died  in  1875,  at  his  home  near  JMonticello,  Ark.,  and  he 
died  Jan.  26,  1883.  Two  children  survived  him  :  Mrs. 
W.  S.  Mofifatt  and  Mrs.  John  B.  \\'ilson.  His  youngest 
child.  Rev.  W.  A.  Wilson,  died  Nov.  i,  1881. 


Wilson,  Rev.  IVilUain 
Archibald. — Youngest  child 
of  Rev.  John  and  Mrs.  Ar- 
pasia  H.  Wilson,  was  born 
m  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  Aug- 
ust 15,  1852.  He  attended 
Miami  University,  Oxford, 
O.,  a  short  while,  and  grad- 
uated from  Erskine  Col- 
lege in  1872.  He  studied 
theology  in  Erskine  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  graduat- 
ing in  1874.  His  mind  was 
deeply  impressed  by  the 
importance  of  the  Foreign 
JNIissionary  work,  and  during  his  course  in  the  Seminary 
offered  his  services  for  that  field  to  Synod's  Committee 
on  Foreign  Missions.  The  offer  was  promptly  accepted. 
But  the  severe  aiid  continued  ill  health  of  his  mother 
for  many  months  constrained  him  to  withdraw  the  offer. 
The  Arkansas  Presbytery  licensed  him  in  July,  1874, 
and  ordained  him  sine  titulo  the  following-  year.  He  was 
stated  supply  from  Oct.,  '74,  to  Oct.,  '76,  at  Saline  and 


\V.    A.     WILSOX. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  389 

Hickory  Sprin<,^     At  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  1876,  he 
again  offered  himself  for  the  Foreign  ^lission  work  and 
was  accepted  by  the  Synod  with  the  understanding  that 
he  should  go  to  Egypt.     He  was  directed  to  spend  the 
year  visiting  the  churches  of  Synod  to  arouse  a  mission- 
ary spirit  among  the  people.     This  he  did  and  organized 
many  missionary  societies.     In  1877  the  Synod,  not  see- 
ing the  way  clear  to  send  him  out,  released  him  from  the 
appointment.     He  was  assigned  to  the  X'irginia  Presby- 
tery for  the  year,  where  he  supplied  Ebenezer,  Bethel 
and  Broad  Creek.     The  next  year  he  was  stated  supply 
of  Mt.  Zion,  Mo.     He  connected  with  Wheeling  Pres- 
bytery of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  April,  1880. 
He  was  installed  pastor  of  Buchanan  Hill,  W.  Va.,  Dec. 
I,   1880.     He  died  Nov.   i,   1881.     His  last  message  to 
his  father  was,  "Tell  him  I  am  waiting  at  the  river  with 
my  lamp  trimmed  and  burning."     He  was  happily  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Laura  B.  Fulton,  at  Warnock's,  O.,  August 
28,   1877.     He  left  one  child,  John  Fulton  Wilson. 

Wiseman,  David  Williaws.— Eldest  son  of  John  ^l. 
and  M.  Catherine  (McBryde)  Wiseman,  was  born  in 
Tippah  Co.,  Miss.,  April  6,  1853.  His  ancestry,  both 
paternal  and  maternal,  were  identified  with  the  Associ- 
ate Reformed  church  from  its  first  organization,  and 
were  noted  for  their  attachment  to  its  principles  and 
practices. 

Thus  was  David  W.  blessed  with  a  worthy  ancestry, 
and  it  is  but  truth  to  say  he  was  a  worthy  son.  He  was 
a  quiet,  steady  boy.  obedient  and  faithful  in  every  rela- 
tion. He  came  near  dying  frohi  typhoid  fever  at  about 
ten  years  of  age,  but  God  graciously  spared  his  life.  In 
1863  he  accidently  fell  from  a  platform  at  his  father's 
ginhouse.  and  his  thigh  was  broken,  causing  him  to  limp 
for  life.  He  joined  Ebenezer  church  August  13,  1870, 
and  lived  a  devoted.  Christian  life. 

He  enjoyed  the  instruction  of  some  excellent  teachers 


390  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

in  the  public  schools  of  the  neighborhood,  among  whom 
mention  is  made  of  Rev.  J.  Lord,  a  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian minister,  E.  P.  Stewart,  Thomas  P.  Pressly. 
About  this  time,  1873,  Mr.  Wiseman  determined  on  a 
college  course.  He  entered  the  Freshman  class  in  Er- 
skine  College  in  1874,  and  continued  his  studies  unin- 
terruptedly, except  one  year  spent  in  teaching,  and  grad- 
uated July  4,  1879.  Having  at  this  time  decided  to  de- 
vote his  life  to  the  gospel  ministry,  he  accordingly  was 
received  as  a  student  of  Theology  by  Memphis  Presby- 
tery at  Bloomington,  Tenn.,  Sept.  12,  1879,  and. soon 
after  entered  Erskine  Theological  Seminary.  In  con- 
nection with  his  Seminary  work  he  took  charge  of  the 
Mess  Hall  kept  by  some  of  the  students  of  Erskine  Col- 
lege. At  this  time  also,  on  January  14,  1880,  he  married 
Ella  M.  H.  Robison,  eldest  daughter  of  Rev.  H.  H.  Rob- 
ison. 

The  second  year  he  was  allowed  for  "peculiar"  rea- 
sons to  prosecute  his  studies  privately  under  direction 
of  Rev.  H.  H.  Robison,  and  the  following-  year,  April 
30,  1 88 1,  at  Salem,  Tenn.,  he  was  licensed.  Soon  after 
his  return  home  occurred  the  tragic  death  of  Rev.  H.  H. 
Robison,  Ad!ay  19,  1881,  and  Ebenezer  was  left  without 
a  shepherd.  They  at  once  looked  to  Mr.  Wiseman  in 
their  time  of  need,  and  he  preached  for  them  as  he  had 
opportunity.  His  tender  and  faithful  ministrations 
among  them  soon  ripened  into  a  desire  for  closer  bonds, 
and  on  November  12,  1881,  a  call  in  which  there  was 
not  a  dissenting  voice,  was  moderated  for  his  pastoral 
services. 

But  God's  ways  are  not  man's  ways.  ( )n  the  follow- 
ing Tuesday,  Nov.  15,  he  was  taken  with  typhoid  fever, 
and  after  an  illness  of  five  weeks,  he  breathed  his  last 
at  his  home  in  Union  Co.,  Miss,  Dec.  22,  1881.  He  left 
a  wife  and  one  daughter,  Ada,  then  a  little  babe,  to  weep 
over  his  remains.  His  sermons  were  abcnT  the  average 
and  acceptable  to  all  who  heard  him.     There  was  a  kind- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  391 

ness  in  his  tone,  a  pleasantness  in  his  manner,  and  gen- 
tleness in  his  demeanor  which  won  the  hearts  of  old  and 
young. 

Witherspoon,  John   Graham. — Son  of  John  and  Jane 

(Black)    Witherspoon,    born    181 1,    four    miles 

east  of  Charlotte,  X.  C.  His  preparatory  studies  were 
at  Sugar  Creek,  N.  C,  and  Ebenezer,  York  Co.,  S.  C, 
under  Rev.  E.  Harris.  Spending  two  years  in  Jefferson 
College.  Pa,  he  graduated  in  1831.  He  spent  the  winter 
of  "3 1 -"32  in  Allegheny  Seminary  under  John  T  Pressly, 
and  finished  in  the  hands  of  Dr.  Isaac  Grier.  The  First 
Presbytery  commissioned  him  as  a  probationer  in  the 
spring  of  1833.  Serving  the  vacancies  for  one  year, 
three  calls  were  presented  to  him,  April  7,  1834.  These 
were  Tirzah,  Union  Co.,  X.  C,  Cedar  Spring  and  Long 
Cane,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  Coddle  Creek,  Xew  Perth 
and  Gilead,  X.  C.  The  latter  three  he  accepted  and  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  Aug.  20th,   1834. 

This  field  being  too  large  and  laborious,  Gilead  was 
demitted  Sept.  23rd,  1840.  The  moderatorship  of  his 
Synod  in  1842  was  his  honor.  The  only  daughter  of 
Dr.  Isaac  Grier,  ]^Iiss  ]\Iartha  Harris,  became  his  wife  in 
1832.  She  was  a  helpmeet  indeed,  a  mother  in  Israel,  a 
woman  of  devotion  to  her  church,  wdiom  to  know  was  to 
love  and  appreciate  for  her  Christian  sympathy  and  solid 
worth. 

With  this  extensive  parish,  he  yielded  to  the  crying 
need  of  education  and  spent  some  time  in  the  school 
room,  INIrs.  Witherspoon  assisting,  and  helped  prepare 
among  others  Dr.  R.  A.  Ross  for  college. 

Sabbath  evening  he  took  his  bed,  and  pneumonia  at- 
tacking his  brain  soon  after,  became  unconscious  and 
gave  back  his  spirit  the  following  Tuesday,  Jan.  6,  1846. 
He  was  a  strong,  robust  man,  eeutle  in  his  manners  and 
ever  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand  in  every  good  cause. 

Punctuality    to    his    appointments    characterized    him. 


392 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


"Upon  the  ecclesiastical  judicatories  of  which  he  was 
a  member,  he  was  a  regular  attendant.  Whether  they 
were  near  at  hand,  or  at  a  distance,  whether  they  had  to 
be  reached  through  the  sunshine  or  the  storm,  Wither- 
spoon  zvas  there." 

During  his  ministry  he  missed  but  one  meeting  of 
Synod,  and  two  meetings  of  Presbytery. 

He  was  a  successful  and  acceptable  pastor.  "Being 
of  a  popular  turn  and  faithful  in  his  ministerial  duties, 
he  was  instrumental  in  bringing  in  considerable  acces- 
sions to  his  flock." 

He  was  highly  esteemed  by  the  brethren  and  the  con- 
gregations throughout  the  church  and  wherever  known. 
It  was  not  his  privilege  to  serve  in  the  ministry  of  the 
gospel  long — nearly  thirteen  years — but  he  served  well, 
and  it  was  in  the  prime  of  life  and  strength  of  manhood 
that  he  exchanged  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  for  the 
ministrv  of  glorv. 


Young,  Rev.  Charles 
Strong. — The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  born  July 
5th,  1847,  at  Due  West, 
S.  C.  He  was  the  son  of 
Prof.  John  N.  Young  and 
Eleanor  Euphemia  Strong. 
He  began  school  at  seven 
years  of  age  under  Rev. 
J.  I.  Bonner.  Afterwards 
he  attended  school  in  the 
Academy  taught  by  Mrs. 
E.  McLuems,  then  he 
went  to  the  Female  col- 
lege, and  attended  the  pre- 
paratory department.  In  due  time  he  entered  Erskine 
College,  graduating  in  Class  of  1869.  He  was  received 
by  the  Second  Presbytery  the  same  year  as  a  student  of 
theology,  and  tinished  his  course  in  Seminarv  in  1871. 


C.     S.    YOUNG. 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  3^3 

Immediately  after  licensure,  Aug.  11,  1871,  he  was  sent 
to  Tennessee  and  labored  in  the  vacancies  in  Marshall 
and  Lincoln  counties.  Was  installed  as  pastor  of  Head 
Spring  in  Marshall  Co.,  May  3rd,  1873,  and  remained 
there  until  Sept.  5th,  1884,  except  the  year  1882,  which 
was  spent  in  Mission  work  in  Louisville,  Ky.  When 
Synod  met  (1881),  he  was  asked  to  leave  his  charge  in 
the  Tennessee  Presbytery  and  come  to  Louisville,  which 
he  did  at  once,  and  put  forth  all  his  ability  in  the  work, 
and  as  a  result  the  roll  of  members  grew  more  rapidly 
than  ever  before.  At  the  close  of  the  year  nine  new 
names  had  been  added.  On  the  dissolution  of  the  pas- 
toral relation  with  Head  Spring,  Tenn.,  Sept.  5,  1884, 
the  following  resolution  was  adopted :  "Resolved  that 
while  we  deeply  regret  that  Bro.  Young  has  deemed  it 
necessary  to  remove  from  his  present  field  of  labor  and 
from  among  a  people  to  whom  he  and  his  family  have 
become  greatly  endeared,  yet  we  hear  with  pleasure  of 
the  prospect  of  his  forming  a  colony  and  organizing  a 
church  in  Florida." 

He  located  at  Orleans,  Hernando  Co.,  Fla.  Some 
time  was  spent  in  mission  work.  Li  1888,  he  organized 
a  church  at  Arlington  road  (Hernando  P.  O.)  and  in 
1889  0"6  at  Orleans,  both  in  Citrus  Co.  In  1890  he  or- 
ganized one  at  Bartow  in  Polk  Co.,  80  miles  south  of  the 
other  churches. 

His  home  was  at  Orleans,  Fla.,  and  he  continued  to 
supply  those  churches  (though  the  two  were  afterwards 
united  in  one  congregation)  until  Jan.  17th,  1901,  when 
he  removed  to  Paint  Lick.  Garrard  Co.,  Ky. 

Disastrous  freezes  in  the'90's  injured  the  orange  groves 
to  such  an  extent  that  most  of  the  A.  R.  people  either 
removed  further  south  or  went  ofT  to  other  States,  mostly 
the  latter.  In  1900  the  congregation  at  Orleans  was  dis- 
solved. 

Since  Jaimary.  1001,  he  has  been  in  charge  of  New 
LTope  and  Ebenezer,  one-half  time  at  each  place.     The 


394 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


centennial  of  these  churches  was  observed  May  nth, 
1 90 1,  at  New  Hope,  in  which  he  took  an  active  part.  He 
still  continues  in  this  field  of  labor. 

In  connection  with  his  pastoral  work,  he  also  engaged 
in  teaching  and  was  Principal  for  some  time  of  the 
County  High  School  at  Lewisburg,  Tenn.  In  Florida 
he  was  engaged  in  the  same  work  as  teacher  and  for 
four  years  as  Superintendent  of  the  Public  Schools  of 
Citrus  County,  Fla. 

The  degree  of  A.  M.  was  conferred  by  the  Trustees 
of  Erskine  College  in   1874. 

Mr.  Young  spent  one  year  in  the  Confederate  service. 
In  1864  he  was  with  the  signal  corps  in  Charleston.  His 
wife  was  Miss  May  B.  Chalmers,  daughter  of  William 
S.  Chalmers,  of  Newberry,  S.  C,  to  wdiom  he  was  mar- 
ried September  26th,  1871.  Five  children  survive  as 
the  fruit  of  this  marriage ;  one  is  dead. 

His  oldest  son,  John  M.  Young,  is  now  one  of  the  In- 
structors in  Sibley  College,  the  college  of  engineering 
in  Cornell  University,  of  which  institution  he  is  a 
graduate. 

Youug,  John. — Was  born  Sept.  4th,  1763,  in  York  Co., 
Pa.  His  father,  William,  was  of  Covenanter  stock,  and 
his  mother  was  of  remarkable  intellectual  endowments. 
About  1780  he  suffered  the  loss  of  both  his  parents,  and 
their  farm  being  soon  thereafter  sold  for  Continental 
money,  made  him  dependent  on  his  own  exertions. 

For  awhile  his  time  was  employed  in  teaching 
and  in  writing  in  the  clerk's  office  at  Annapolis,  Md.  An 
uncle  became  a  father  to  these  five  orphans  and  John 
soon  passed  to  Dickinson  College,  where  he  graduated  in 
1788,  delivering  the  valedictory.  Taking  a  course  of 
Theology  under  Dr.  Nisbet,  President  of  his  alma  mater, 
and  also  under  Rev.  Alexander  Dobbin,  of  Gettysburg, 
Pa.,  the  A.  R.  P.  Presbytery  of  Pa.  granted  him  license 
April   13,    1 79 1,  and  ordained  and   installed  him  pastor 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


395 


of  Old  Providence,  Augusta  Co.,  and  Timber  Ridge, 
Rockbridge  Co.,  \'a..,  Aug.  20,  1792.  "These  duties 
he  discharged  with  great  acceptance."  He  was  honored 
with  the  moderatorship  of  his  Synod  at  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  1798. 

Soon  after  his  settlement  in  the  valley  of  X'irginia,  he 
married  ]\Iiss  Mary  Clarke,  of  Greencastle,  Pa.,  two 
sons  and  two  daughters  being  the  fruit  of  this  marriage. 
One  daughter  became  the  wife  of  Rev.  John  Lind  and 
one  son,  Dr.  John  C,  an  eloquent  and  useful  minister 
in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  President  of  Centre 
College,  Kentucky. 

In  1799  he  demitted  this  charge  and,  while  he  received 
calls  from  Lexington.  Ky.,  and  Xew  York,  settled  in 
Greencastle.  Pa.,  being  installed  Sept.  3rd.  1799.  Having 
preached  three  times  a  very  hot  day  in  open  air,  he  took 
fever  from  which  he  died  July  24th.   1803. 

As  a  preacher,  "His  enunciation  was  distinct  and  de- 
liberate, but  without  hesitancy ;  his  language  clear  and 
forcible,  but  not  florid;  the  subject  matter  of  his  dis- 
courses doctrinal  and  instructive,  but  having  a  decidedly 
practical  bearing.  He  had  but  little  gesture,  but  that 
little  was  natural  and  appropriate.  His  whole  manner 
was  dignified,  solemn  and  impressive.  He  was  a  man  of 
good  abilities,  of  fine  mental  culture  and  affable  manners, 
and  was  always  heard  with  gladness.  As  an  earnest  and 
instructive  preacher  he  had  no  superior  in  his  church." — 
Dr.  J.  B.  Scouller. 

Vouug,  Rev.  Thomas  Lcroy,  col. — The  above  named 
minister  was  for  a  time  the  only  colored  preacher  in  the 
Associate  Reformed  Church.  He  was  a  slave  of  the  estate 
of  Rev.  Charles  Strong  of  Xcwberry.  and  by  lot  fell  to 
his  daughter,  Miss  E.  E.  Strong,  who  married  Rev.  J.  X. 
Young.  Professor  in  Erskine  College. 

He  was  born  Xovember  30th.  1833,  and  was  thirteen 
vcars  old  when  he  came  to  Due  West.     He  was  a  remark- 


396 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


ably  good  boy,  honest  and  trustworthy  as  a  servant.  He 
was  taught  by  Rev.  J.  N.  Young  and  family,  his  religious 
training  also  being  carefully  guarded  as  was  the  rule 
with  the  slaves  in  the  families  of  Associate  Reformed 
people.  He  learned  the  shorter  catechism  and  was  re- 
quired to  attend  family  worship.  In  due  time  he  con- 
nected with  the  church  and  entered  upon  the  study  of 
theology  under  Prof.  Young.  A  congregation  of  ne- 
groes was  organized  at  Due  West,  and  he  was  chosen 
pastor,  after  having  been  licensed  by  Second  Presbytery. 
He  was  accordingly  ordained  and  installed  over  this,  the 
only  negro  congregation  at  that  time  in  the  Synod.  The 
congregation  did  very  well  for  a  while  after  the  war,  but 
feeling  its  isolation  and  separation  socially,  as  the  only 
colored  church,  sought  connection  with  the  Northern 
Presbyterian  Church,  its  pastor  also  connecting  with 
that  body. 

About  this  time,  however,  the  subject  of  our  sketch 
ceased  actively  to  exercise  his  ministry,  as  his  church  de- 
sired a  younger  and  more  active  man  from  the  North. 
Rev.  T.  L.  Young  was  a  tanner  by  trade,  and  also  had 
a  small  farm.  His  wife  was  Amanda  Callaham,  and 
eleven  children  were  born  to  her. 

One  of  the  sons  was  educated  in  Biddle  Institute  for 
the  ministry,  but  died  before  entering  upon  his  work. 
After  giving  up  his  church,  Rev.  Young  devoted  himself 
to  his   farm  until  his   death. 

Young,  James  Little,  Jr. — Son  of  John  Norris  Young 
and  Eleanor  Euphemia  Strong,  was  born  in  Due  West, 
S.  C,  January  19,  1852.  The  Civil  War  seriously  inter- 
rupted his  grammar-school  education.  He  graduated  with 
A.  B.  degree  from  Erskine  College  July  12,  1871.  He 
joined  the  Due  West,  S.  C,  A.  R.  P.  Church  in  the  spring 
of  1870,  was  received  as  a  student  of  theology  by  the 
Second  Presbytery  at  its  spring  meeting  in  1872,  at 
Bethel,  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C,  and  prosecuted  his  theologi- 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS. 


397 


cal  studies  in  Erskine 
Theolog'ical  S  e  m  i  n  a  r  y. 
Was  licensed  by  Second 
Presbytery  Sept.  6,  1873, 
at  Generostee,  S.  C,  and 
spent  following  winter  in 
the  Seminary.  He  was  or- 
dained at  Due  West,  S.  C, 
by  the  Second  Presbytery, 
Oct.  30,   1875. 

In   1874  he  supplied  Dr. 
Sloan's  pulpit  while  he  was 
in  Charlotte,  N.C.,  and  sup- 
plied the  Charlotte  Mission 
J.   I-.  vnrNG.  -t^ 

for  about  two  months  dur- 
ing the  summer.  The  Synod  of  1874  sent  him  to  Texas. 
During  that  year  he  rode  a  pony  from  Freestone  Co.,  the 
home  of  Rev.  T.  J.  Bonner,  to  Hardin  Co.,  in  the  south- 
east corner  of  the  State,  to  Milam  Co.,  on  the  Brazos, 
and  to  Lamar  Co.,  on  the  Red  River.  In  these  trips  he 
preached  in  school  houses  to  scattering  families  of  A. 
R.  Ps. 

By  order  of  Synod  of  1875,  he  labored  in  Arkansas, 
preaching  for  three  months  in  Little  River  Co.,  in  the  S. 
W.  corner  of  the  State,  and  the  remainder  of  the  year  he 
supplied  Shady  Grove  and  Camp  Creek  churches.  The 
next  two  years  he  served  the  Mt.  Zion,  Mo.,  church,  but 
on  account  of  failing  health  in  1878,  he  declined  the  in- 
vitation of  the  people  to  return.  He  was  directed  by 
Synod  to  the  Texas  field,  but  not  feeling  able  for  the 
work,  he  accepted  the  invitation  of  Bloomington,  Tenn., 
to  supply  that  pulpit  one-half  time,  Feb.,  to  Oct.,  1879.  In 
1879,  he  was  sent  to  Arkansas,  and  began  work  at  Sa- 
line, Nov.,  '79,  and  Monticello,  March,  '80.  He  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  these  congregations  in  spring  of 
188 r,  and  was  installed  at  Monticello,  April  23,  and  at 
Saline.   May  3.    1881.      Li   Sept.,    1895,  he  demitted  the 


398  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

Saline  branch  of  his  charge,  and  was  installed  for  one- 
fourth  of  his  time  over  Ebenezer,  Ark.,  June  20,  1896. 

He  was  married  Oct.  17,  1883,  near  Harrels,  Dallas 
Co.,  Ala.,  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Lowry,  to  Miss  Jennie  Young, 
daughter  of  James  Mathews  Young  and  Elizabeth  Jennie 
Craig.  She  was  born  in  Dallas  Co.,  Ala.,  Oct.  13,  1858. 
Five  children  have  been  born  to  them,  all  of  them  yet  in 
school. 

Rev.  John  N  0  r  r  i  s 
Young,  L.  L.  D.,  was  born 
Feb.  17th,  1813,  in  the 
bounds  of  Rocky  Springs 
A.  R.  Church,  in  what  is 
known  as  the  Flatwoods 
of  Abbeville,  S.  C.  He  was 
the  son  of  Francis  Young 
and  Nancy  Little  Young. 
"His  paternal  grandfather 
came  from  the  region  of 
Raleigh,  N.  C,  and  set- 
tled in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C. 
His  maternal  grandfather 
seems  to  have  been  a  na- 
tive of  Abbeville  Co.,  and  was  shot  and  killed  by  Tories 
during  the  Revolutionary  War  in  his  own  door.  Francis 
Young  afterwards  moved  to  Little  Generostee,  then  un- 
der the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Robt.  Irwin,  and  was 
elected  a  Ruling  Elder  in  that  congregation." 

His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  common 
schools,  but  his  classical  course  was  begun  under  the  care 
of  his  elder  brother,  Rev.  Jas.  L.  Young.  In  this  course 
as  well  as  his  subsequent  college  course  he  was  associated 
with  G.  and  N.  M.  Gordon  and  Laughlin  McDonald,  all 
of  whom  became  ministers  of  the  A.  R.  Church. 

He  entered  Miami  University  in  the  Fall  of  1833.  He 
graduated  Aug.  10,  1837,  under  the  Presidency  of  Rev. 


# 


SKETCHES     OF    MINISTERS.  399 

Robt.  H.  Bishop.  He  remained  in  Ohio  the  entire  four 
years  of  his  course,  spending  his  vacations  in  Hopewell 
congregation,  not  far  from  Oxford,  the  seat  of  the  Uni- 
versity. 

Returning  South,  he  was  at  once  elected  temporary 
Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy  in 
the  Academy  at  Due  West,  S.  C.  He  began  the  study  of 
Divinity  at  the  same  time  under  Dr.  E.  E.  Pressly,  and 
was  licensed  by  the  2nd.  A.  R.  Presbytery  at  Bethel,  Lin- 
coln Co.,  Tenn.,  Oct.  8th,  1840.  In  1839  he  was  elected 
by  the  Synod  of  the  South  permanent  Professor  to  the 
chair  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy  in  Er- 
skine  College,  then  just  organized.  This  position  he 
held  until  Oct.,  1881,  when  he  resigned.  He,  however, 
continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  this  position  for  an- 
other year,  or  until  his  successor.  Prof.  J.  H.  Miller,  one 
of  his  own  students,  was  prepared  to  take  his  place.  In- 
cluding his  service  in  the  Academy,  he  taught  forty-five 
years  in  this  Institution.  During  all  of  this  period,  he 
was  also  Treasurer  of  the  College,  and  continued  to  hold 
this  position  for  several  years  after  he  resigned  as  Pro- 
fessor. 

Though  he  was  fully  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry, he  was  never  pastor  of  any  church,  but  preached 
in  the  vacancies  in  his  own  Presbytery  convenient  to  his 
work,  for  he  loved  to  preach.  "His  preaching  was  prac- 
tical in  its  character,  and  alwavs  instructive  and  edify- 
ing." 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Erskine  College  conferred 
upon  him  the  degree  of  L.  L.  D.  in  January,  i8()i. 

He  was  twice  married.  In  1842  he  married  Elizabeth 
Jane  Irwin,  of  Oxford,  O.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were 
two  children,  neither  of  whom  survived  the  period  of 
early  childhood,  nor  did  the  mother  long  survive.  He 
was  married  the  second  time,  Oct.  21st,  1845.  to  Euphemia 
Eleanor  Strong,  daughter  of  Rev.  Charles  Strong,  of 
Newberrv,    S.    C.      She   was   the    fourth   child   of   Rev. 


400 


SKETCHES    OF    MINISTERS. 


Charles  and  Nancy  Strong,  was  born  in  Newberry,  S. 
C,  Jan.  19,  1823,  and  died  Oct.  28th,  1862,  in  her  thirty- 
ninth  year. 

The  fruits  of  this  union  were  ten  children,  eight  of 
whom  still  survive  (two  daughters  having  died  in  years 
of  childhood).  Those  still  living  are  Elizabeth  Jane, 
wife  of  Rev.  E.  P.  McClintock;  Rev.  Charles  Strong 
Young,  of  Ivy. ;  Henry  Martin  Young,  merchant.  Due 
West,  S.  C. ;  John  Moran  Young,  lawyer  in  Fla. ;  Rev. 
James  Little  Young,  of  Ark. ;  Mary  Evelyn,  wife  of 
Rev.  H.  M.  Henry,  of  Ala. ;  Martha  Anna,  wife  of  Rev. 
J.  E.  Johnson,  of  Col.,  and  Harriet,  wife  of  Hon.  James 
E.  Todd,  of  S.  C. 

Dr  Young  died  Oct.  31st,  1891.  Two  weeks  previous 
to  his  death  he  sustained  a  serious  injury  from  a  fall. 
He  was  thought  to  be  recovering,  but  he  was  suddenly 
stricken  with  paralysis,  and  passed  away  without  a  strug- 
gle.    He  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Due  West. 

Dr.  W.  L.  Pressly  has  this  to  say  of  Dr.  Young  in  a 
sketch  after  his  death  :  "Besides  being  a  man  of  extended 
and  varied  information,  Dr.  Young  was  a  man  of  great 
public  spirit,  fine  practical  sense,  and  of  sterling  integ- 
rity. These  qualities  were  perceived  and  recognized  by 
the  church  and  for  nearly  forty  years  he  was  entrusted 
with  the  management  of  the  finances  of  the  college,  with- 
out bond  or  security  of  any  kind.  It  need  not  be  said 
that  the  confidence  thus  reposed  was  never  abused. 
These  qualities  were  recognized  by  the  community  as 
well  as  by  the  church.  And  hence  his  counsel  was  often 
sought  and  appreciated  by  those  who  knew  him  best,  but 
the  crowning-  glory  of  the  character  of  this  good  man 
was  his  piety, — his  unassuming,  unaffected,  unosten- 
tatious piety.  In  him  was  illustrated  those  more  quiet 
and  retiring  and  unobtrusive  graces  of  the  spirit — such 
as  meekness,  humility,  gentleness  and  patience,  which 
more  than  any  other  assimilate  to  the  character  of  Him, 
who  "was  meek  and  lowlv  of  heart."     The  church  has 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  401 

no  more  precious  les?ac>-  than  the  memory  of  such  a  man 
as  Rev.  John  Xorris  Young-,  L.  L.  D. 

Young.  James  Matthei^'S,  son  of  Samuel  Young  and 
EHzabeth  Bonner,  was  born  in  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  Oc- 
tober 29,  1815.  He  was  one  of  triplets,  the  other  brothers 
were  named  John  Clark  and  Lewis.  He  enjoyed  fine 
educational  advantages  and  graduated  in  Miami  Univer- 
sity, Ohio,  August,  1839.  He  joined  the  Church  in 
Wilcox  Co.,  Ala.  was  received  as  a  student  of  Theology 
by  the  Second  Presbytery  and  took  his  theological  course 
in  Erskine  Seminary.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  about 
1842 — the  date  of  his  ordination  is  not  known.  He  mis- 
sionated  in  Texas  two  years  and  was  pastor  of  Prosper- 
ity and  Orrville,  Ala.,  for  about  25  years.  He  was  called 
to  the  pastorate  of  Prosperity  the  latter  part  of  1843, 
and  was  installed  soon  thereafter. 

He  was  married,  March  10,  1853,  in  Perry  Co.,  Ala., 
to  Elizabeth  Jane  Craig,  daughter  of  Robert  G.  and 
Mary  E.  Craig.  She  was  born  October.  1830,  in  Perry 
Co.,  Ala.  Six  children  were  born  to  them,  two  sons  and 
four  daughters.  One  son,  John  E.  Young,  is  living  with 
his  mother,  Mrs.  Brice  of  Dallas  Co.,  Ala.  Robert  G. 
Craig  raised  eight  children.  Jennie,  the  oldest,  married 
Rev.  J.  M.  Young.  Sallie  married  Rev.  H.  Ouigg,  of 
Covington,  Ga.  Kittie  married  Rev.  J.  A.  Lowry,  of 
Harrell's,  Dallas  Co.,  Ala.  Mary  married  Dr.  J.  M. 
Boyd,  of  Wilcox  Co.,  Ala.,  and  Julia  married  A.  P. 
Young,  attorney  at  law,  Selma.  Ala. 

He  was  a  splendid  preacher  and  a  good  man,  much 
loved  by  all  who  knew  him,  both  members  and  non- 
members  of  his  church. 

Young,  James  Little,  was  born  in  Abbeville  District, 

S.  C,  December  8.   1808,  and  was  a  son  of  Francis  and 

Nancy  Little  Young,     .\fter  attending  the  Church  Hill 

Academy  in  .\bbcville,  S.  C,  and  the  \'iney  Grove  Aca- 

26 


402  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

demy  in  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,  he 
entered  Miami  University  at 
Oxford,  Ohio,  and  graduated  in 
1832.  He.  studied  theology  in 
the  Associate  Reformed  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Allegheny, 
Pennsylvania,  under  Rev.  John 
T.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  and  was  li- 
censed to  preach  by  the  Second 
Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  in 
the  spring  of   1835. 

In  1836  he  was  ordained  and 
J.  1..  YOUNG.  installed    pastor    of    the    united 

congregations  of  Bethel,  Laurens,  Providence  and 
Head  Springs.  Here  he  labored  for  15  years  and  demit- 
ting  his  charge  he  removed  to  Pontotoc  Co.,  Miss.,  in 
1851,  and  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Bethany  and 
Hopewell  churches  in  April,  1854.  His  Bethany  church 
was  organized  June  5,  1852,  and  was  mostly  made  up  of 
families  who  were  members  of  his  charge  in  South  Caro- 
lina. He  demitted  the  Hopewell  branch  of  his  charge  in 
1856  and  devoted  his  whole  time  to  Bethany.  He  was 
married  in  May,  1836,  to  Miss  Margaret  Isabella  Todd, 
a  daughter  of  Andrew  Todd  and  Mary  Simpson  of 
Laurens  C.  H.,  S.  C.  She  died  October  22,  1861,  in 
Pontotoc  Co.,  Miss.  She  was  born  in  County  Monaghan, 
Ireland. 

Mr.  Young  married  the  second  time  Mrs.  Martha 
Jane  Pressly,  of  Due  West,  S.  C,  January  8,  1867.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Charles  Strong  and  x\gnes  Har- 
ris, and  was  born  in  Newberry  Co.,  S.  C,  January  18, 
181820.  She  was  the  widow  of  the  Rev.  John  S.  Pressly, 
to  whom  she  was  married  Sept.  29,  1842,  and  who  died 
June  I,  1863.  There  were  no  children  by  that  marriage. 
He  died  at  his  home  in  Lee  Co.,  Miss.,  on  the  morning 
of  January  31,  1867.  He  was  moderator  of  the  Synod  at 
Hopewell,    Newton   Co.,   Ga.,   in    1845.   was    for   a   time 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  403 

stated  clerk  of  the  Second  Presbytery.  He  was  also 
stated  clerk  of  the  ^Memphis  Presbytery  from  its  or- 
ganization, April   15,   1853.  until   1856. 

He  was  an  able  and  faithful  minister.  He  left  at  his 
death  a  wife  and  four  children  to  cherish  his  memory. 
Hon.  James  L.  Young,  of  Plout  City,  Florida,  and  Wil- 
liam A.  Young,  i\I.  D.,  of  Tipton  County,  Tenn.,  are 
his  children. 

Zalcta,  Zcnon  J. — Sr.  Zenon  J.  Zaleta  was  the  son  of 
Francisco  Zaleta  and  Dionisia  !Mar,  and  was  born  in 
Ozuluama,  State  of  A'era  Cruz,  ]\Iex.,  on  the  12th  of 
April,  1855. 

Until  about  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,  his  life  was 
spent  in  the  primitive  agricultural  life  near  the  place  of 
his  birth.  As  a  boy  and  young  man,  he  was  noted  for 
his  positive  excellencies :  integrity,  uprightness,  indus- 
try, temperance  and  economy.  He  probably  never  went 
to  school  a  year  in  all  his  life.  In  1881,  he  went  from 
his  home  in  Chiconcillo  to  Tampico,  to  learn  the  black- 
smith trade,  and  shortly  after  arriving  in  Tampico,  he 
was  induced  by  the  missionary  there  to  attend  the  ser- 
vice in  the  chapel.  From  the  first  powerfully  moved  by 
the  truth,  he  was  soon  converted  and  was  a  happy,  work- 
ing Christian.  All  of  his  unoccupied  time  was  spent  in 
spelling  out  word  by  word  the  Scriptures,  for  he  could 
not  read  well.  The  Book  was  his  daily  study  and  he 
sought  the  missionary  to  explain  and  help  him  in  his 
duty  to  God  and  fellow-men.  He  was  the  first  man  to 
be  baptized  in  the  ]^Iission  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  in 
Mexico,  on  the  26th  of  June,  1881.  From  the  day  of  his 
baptism,  which  was  his  first  communion  day.  deadness 
to  the  world  and  zeal  for  the  glory  of  God  were  conspic- 
uous traits  in  his  character.  In  1882,  he  gave  up  his 
chosen  calling  and  began  a  course  of  study  under  the 
missionary  at  Tampico  with  a  view  to  the  ministry.  He 
was  a  diligent  ]iupil  and  his  progress  most  satisfactory. 


404 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 


In  1885,  he  was  given  a  license  by  the  missionary  and 
sent  by  him  to  Panuco,  State  of  Vera  Cruz,  to  estabhsh 
Christian  work  in  that  place.  In  his  work  he  was  sin- 
cere, humble,  uniform  and  intensely  persevering,  and  his 
preaching  was  good  and  from  a  burning  heart  of  love  to 
Christ  and  souls. 

In  1887  the  dreaded  disease,  consumption,  developed, 
and  he  was  rapidly  consumed.  He  realized  the  end  and 
seemed  to  give  up  the  world  and  all  its  concerns,  but  he 
was  none  the  less  active  in  his  Master's  work.  The  end 
of  an  earnest,  useful  life  came  on  the  27th  of  August, 
1888,  in  Tampico.  He  spoke  much  of  his  assured  hope, 
and  no  one  came  to  his  bed  that  was  not  pointed  to  Christ 
as  the  Saviour.  His  last  words  to  his  wife  were :  "Dc- 
jaiue  ir,"  "Let  jiic  go." .  He  was  the  first  fruits  of  our 
preachers  in  Mexico  for  heavenly  rest. 

Sr.  Zaleta  was  married  to  Srita  Celsa  Gomez,  in  1886. 
He  was  a  tender-hearted  and  affectionate  husband. 
They  had  no  children.  The  man  that  walks  with  God 
and  has  his  service  at  heart,  is  a  good  man,  and  few,  it 
is  believed,  who  knew  Zenon  Zaleta  will  deny  him  this 
honor. 


> 


MISS    M.VTTIE    BOYCE. 


Boycc,  Miss  M attic  A. — 
was  the  youngest  child  of 
Mr.  Samuel  and  Mrs. 
Louisa  Nesbit  Boyce  of 
Sardis,  Mecklenburg  Co., 
N.  C,  and  was  born  the 
first  of  May,  1868,  and 
died  June  22,  1903,  at  the 
age  of  thirty-five.  She  ob- 
tained her  training  for  col- 
lege in  Sardis  Academy 
and  s|)ent  two  years  in 
Due  West  Female  College, 
graduating  in   1891. 


SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS.  405 

The  missionary  spirit  had  been  good  in  the  college  that 
year  but  she  had  not  felt  called  to  that  work.  One  night 
in  the  year  following  she  made  it  a  matter  of  special 
prayer  that  God  would  show  her  what  she  should  do  and 
how  He  would  have  her  serve  Him.  The  next  day  she 
received  a  letter  from  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions 
asking  if  she  would. consider  the  matter  of  going  to  ]\Iexi- 
co  as  a  missionary.  The  result  was  she  and  ]\Iiss  Steven- 
son came  to  Due  West  and  studied  Spanish  under  Dr. 
Todd  and  otherwise  prepared  themselves,  and  in  the  fall 
went  to  Mexico  as  missionaries  of  our  church.  She 
continued  in  that  work  for  five  years  and  rendered  val- 
uable service  to  our  Mexican  mission  in  Tampico. 
Against  her  will  but  by  the  imperative  advice  of  her  phy- 
sician she  had  had  to  give  up  her  work  and  return  to 
this  country.  We  knew  ]\Iiss  Boyce  intimately  and  we 
believe  it  is  correct  to  say  that  there  has  not  been  a  day 
since  that  she  did  not  long  to  return  to  the  Foreign  field. 
Her  heart  was  in  the  work.  She  kept  herself  thor- 
oughlv  informed  on  missionary  matters  and  her  in- 
terest did  not  lag  because  she  was  not  in  the  thick  of  the 
battle.  \Miile  she  could  not  return  she  was  not  by  any 
means  incapacitated  for  work.  Under  the  direction  of 
the  Board  she  went  all  over  the  Church  stirring  up  in- 
terest in  the  department  of  woman's  work  and  our  ladies' 
societies  owe  much  to  her.  For  several  years  she  has 
been  the  Superintendant  of  Woman's  \\'ork  in  our 
Church.     There  she  has  served  the  Church  efifectively. 

l"^or  three  years  she  was  identified  with  the  Due  West 
Female  College.  As  Lady  principal  of  that  institution 
she  had  a  wide  field  of  usefulness.  She  realized  the  priv- 
ileges and  the  responsibility  that  came  with  the  position. 
]\Iany  will  testify  that  she  deepened  their  spiritual  life, 
placed  before  them  high  ideals  and  showed  them  as  they 
had  never  seen  it  before  their  duty  to  those  in  darkness. 
The  religious  life  of  the  college  was  delightful  during 
these  vears.  and  to  her  much  of  the  credit  is  due.     Her 


4o6  SKETCHES     OF     MINISTERS. 

death  was  a  great  loss  to  the  Due  \\'est  Female  College. 
A  good  woman  who  has  known  Miss  Mattie  from 
infancy  said  to  us  this  morning,  "She  was  indeed  a  child 
of  the  Covenant  and  was  always  a  devoted  Christian." 
All  who  knew  her  would  bear  testimony  to  her  high 
Christian  character.  She  was  one  of  the  most  conscien- 
tious women  we  have  ever  known,  a  woman  of  faith,  of 
prayer  and  of  great  zeal.  She  served  her  God  and  her 
church  faithfully.     She  lived  for  God's  glory. 


PART  III. 
SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


The  Abbeville  A.  R.  P.  Church. — This  Church  was 
organized  Nov.  25th,  1889,  with  fourteen  members.  The 
following  persons  were  elected  Elders :  J.  C.  McClain, 
W.  O.  Bradley  and  T.  P.  Thomson ;  and  Deacons :  C. 
D.  Haddon  and  J.  Hayne  McDill.  The  congregation 
worshipped  in  the  Court  House  until  the  church  was 
built  in  1893.  It  was  supplied  by  various  ministers  ap- 
pointed by  the  Presbytery  until  June,  1891,  when  Rev. 
F.  Y.  Pressly  was  sent  as  stated  supply.  He  continued 
to  give  his  time  to  the  work  until  his  removal  to  Due 
West  to  take  a  chair  in  Erskine  College.  The  new  church 
was  completed  in  1893,  and  was  dedicated  July  2nd,  1893. 
The  dedicatory  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  J.  S. 
Moffatt  of  Chester,  S.  C,  and  the  prayer  was  offered  by 
Rev.  H.  T.  Sloan,  D.  D.,  of  Cedar  Springs. 

Rev.  J.  J.  Grier  was  installed  as  pastor  July  9th,  1894. 
He  served  for  one  year  and  four  months.  The  church 
was  again  supplied  for  two  years  by  the  Presbytery.  Mr. 
W.  B.  Lindsay,  a  student  in  the  Seminary,  supplied  it 
for  three  months  during  his  vacation  in  1896,  and  INIr.  W. 
A.  Blakely  spent  his  vacation  here  during  1897.  Rev. 
H.  Rabb  came  as  stated  supply  for  the  year  1898,  and 
Rev.  R.  C.  Davidson  was  stated  supply  for  1899.  Rev. 
T.  W.  Sloan  was  installed  pastor  Jan.  5th,  1900.  He  re- 
mained pastor  for  two  years  and  six  months.  Rev.  W. 
C.  Ewart,  the  present  pastor,  was  installed  May  22nd, 
1903.  He  is  now  serving  the  church  faithfully  and  ac- 
ceptably, loved  by  every  member  and   respected  by  the 


4o8  SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

whole  community.  Since  the  ororanization  there  have 
been  99  names  on  the  church  roll.  There  are  55  names 
on  the  roll,  the  other  44  having  been  lost  by  death  and 
removal.  The  present  officers  are  :  Elders,  John  Lyon, 
F.  L.  Morrow,  W.  T.  Bradley  and  R.  N.  Tiddy ;  Deacons, 
J.  H.  McDill,  W.  P.  Greene  and  W.  W.  Bradley. 

Italian  Colony  a)id  Alcqiiincs. — The  work  in  the  Col- 
ony was  begun  in  1894.  The  Italians  that  formed  the 
settlement  have  never  been  reached  by  the  Gospel.  The 
congregation  of  Mexicans  is  small.  The  congregation 
at  Due  West,  S.  C.,  U.  S.  A.,  contributed  liberally,  and 
a  little  chapel  was  built  there,  and  a  small  school  was 
taught  by  Sra.  Gila  de  Cruz,  the  wife  of  Rev.  G.  Cruz. 

After  the  removal  of  Rev.  G.  Cruz  to  Alequines  this 
place  was  supplied  by  Rev.  Hunter  and  Cruz.  At  Ale- 
quines a  house  was  rented  and  a  part  of  it  fitted  up  for 
a  chapel.  The  family  occupying  the  remainder  of  the 
house.  With  many  difficulties  and  in  the  face  of  constant 
opposition  a  little  congregation  was  organized.  No  rul- 
ing elders  have  been  ordained  in  this  church.  A  school 
was  established  and  taught  by  Sra.  G.  de  Cruz.  Besides 
preaching  at  Alequines,  Rev.  G.  Cruz  makes  extended 
visits  through  the  surrounding  country,  selling  Bibles 
and  distributing  tracts. 

Amity,  Iredell  Co.,  N.  C— Dr.  S.  C.  Millen  began 
preaching  about  1848  at  Abner  Feimsters.  A  house  was 
built  on  the  present  site  which  in  1884  was  remodeled 
and  made  to  face  a  dififerent  direction.  Also  a  large  stand 
about  1859.  Dr.  Millen  gave  this  mission  one  fourth  of 
his  time  till  Sept.  9,  1853.  Rev.  W.  B.  Pressly  was  or- 
dained and  installed  Nov.  9,  1855,  having  with  Rev.  John 
Patrick  organized  1854.  The  first  elders  were  J.  N. 
Morrison  and  Hiram  Scroggs.  The  good  and  gentle 
Pressly  died  Nov.  25,  1883.,  giving  every  hour  of  his 
ordained  ministerial  life.     Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter  was  stated 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS'  W 

supplv  Apr,l.  ,884,  to  Apr",  .885,  E.  E.  P--ly;886- 
,890,'  E.   B.  Anderson   Kov.,   iScj.-Nov.     7,   >892^ 
from  thence  pastor  to  his  resignat.on  Apnl  5.  .898^ 

Revs  R.  E.  Hough,  R.  C.  Davidson  and  E.  F.  Gr.thth 
supplied  till  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love  was  installed  pastor  Nov. 

18,    I9OI. 

Autiocl.  CUurclu  DekaW  County,  Ga.  was  organi^^^^^ 
October  14th,  180c;.  It  was  clone  by  the  Second  Presby- 
te  It  ta     supplied  by  Rev.  H.  Rabb,  afterward  by 

Sv.  T.  B.   Steiart.     Rev.  E.  E.   Strong  was  .s  firs 
pastor.      He   was   installed    September,    1902.      He   still 
Lrves  them  one  fourth  of  his  time.     They  1-ve  had  on 
building  erected  in  1894.    They  enjoyed  a  revival  m  1892 
conducted  by  Rev.  H.  B.  Blakely 

Antouics  Creek,  Greenbrier  Co.,  W.  Va.--VM  <^n 
Associate  Church  coming  April  1808,  into  the  Big  Spring 
A  R  Presbvterv  as  an  organized  congregation.  It  ^^as 
served  bv  Rev.  Wm.  Adair  one  fourth  time  from  1809 
to  ^lay  25.  1814-     See  Sinking  Creek. 

Atlanta,  Ga.-In  May.   1890,  Rev.  R    G.  Miller  was 
sent     to     Atlanta     to     explore     the     field.       He     found 
about  25  persons  of  A.  R.  P.  faith  in  the  city.    A  mission 
was  opened  in  the  heart  of  the  city  on  ^.e  ist  of  Juh 
1890:  preaching  twice  per  month  by  different  brethren 
whose  services  the  Board  could  secure,  the  niission  itself 
bearing  the  expenses  of  rents,  lights,  etc      The  congre- 
gation was  partially  organized  in   1891  by  Rev.  D^  G. 
Caldwell  at  the  request  of  the  Board  with  17  members, 
and  supplied  for  three  or  four  years  by  Rev.  J.  E^  John- 
son     Rev    IT.  B.  Blakelv  was  appointed  to  this  field  by 
the  Board   for  five  years,  and  did  excellent  ^vork-the 
church  steadily  growing  under  his  ministrations.     He  be- 
o-an  his  work  Sept.  ist,  1894. 

A  lot  was  purchased  on  Lloyd  and  Garnett  streets  at 


4IO 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


a  cost  of  $3,750.00,  and  a  building  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$4,200.00,  which,  with  some  street  improvements,  made  a 
total  cost  of  $8,000.  Rev.  H.  B.  Blakely  made  a  canvass 
of  Synod  to  secure  funds  for  the  building,  the  United 
Presbyterian  Board  of  Church  extension  contributing 
$i„25o.oo. 

Mr.  Blakely  found  a  nominal  membership  of  32  when 
he  came  to  Atlanta,  but  an  available  membership  of  only 
22. 

Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips  succeeded  Mr.  Blakely  as  pastor, 
and  has  now  been  in  charge  of  the  work  for  several  years. 
The  work  is  still  growing  and  enlarging,  and  the  congre- 
gation is  well  organized.  The  membership  now  numbers 
about  90. 


JACK   CREEK,    N.    C. 


Back  Creek,  Meckleiihurg  Co.,  N.  C,  was  organized 
near  1802,  when  the  first  deed  was  made.  The  congre- 
gation has  occupied  four  church  buildings  or  places  of 
worship.  South  Bethany,  Stand,  North  Bethany  and 
Back  Creek.  The  first  was  some  little  distance  from  and 
the  second  a  little  south  of  the  present  site.     The  stand 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       411 

gave  place  to  a  log  church  south  of  present  brick  build- 
ing ;  then  a  framed  structure  was  supplanted,  on  the 
same  situation  by  their  commodious  brick  church.  It  is 
said  the  colored  men  who  raised  the  corners  of  the  log 
church  named  it  Back  Creek  from  a  small  stream  a  short 
distance  south — a  name  not  welcomed  but  which  stuck 
fast.  The  present  brick  building  was  erected  about  1868. 
The  earliest  elders  and  prominent  members  were  John, 

Joseph,  James  and  Robert  Cochrane,  J.  McGinnis, 

Rogers,  Bane  and  Samuel  Wilson. 

They  were  doubtless  supplied  by  Revs.  Wm.  Dixon 
and  other  Associate  ministers,  then  1812-1818  by  Rev. 
James  Pringle.  Dr.  A.  Heron,  Revs.  Peter  Campbell  and 
Thomas  Ketchen  also  supplied.  Dr.  Abraham  Anderson 
was  pastor  from  Oct.  3rd,  1822- 1833.  Early  in  1833 
Rev.  Archibald  Whyte  was  installed  and  remained  till 
1840.  Rev.  John  Patrick  gave  them  the  bread  of  life  till 
the  ordination  and  installation  of  Rev.  John  Hunter, 
July  24,  1844.  This  relation  ceased  Sept.  5,  1855. 
Rev.  I.  G.  McLaughlin  was  installed  Oct.  24,  1856, 
and  demitted  Sept.  22,  1896,  though  he  continued 
S.  S.  till  July  I,  1899,,  when  Rev.  R.  E.  Hough  was 
installed,  demitting  August  25,  1902.  Rev.  T.  B.  Stewart 
began  stated  labors  in  the  fall  of  1902  and  continues 
their  minister. 

Back  Creek  has  been  blessed  with  several  gracious  re- 
vivals, furnished  some  of  the  most  useful  citizens  of 
Mecklenburg  County.  Two  ruling  elders  at  least  for 
long  service  and  devotion  stand  out  prominent — E.  P.  and 
Col  Brice  Cochrane.  The  loveliest  and  longest  lived 
minister  in  the  Synod — Rev.  L  G.  McLaughlin — still 
holds  their  unwearied  affections,  greatly  to  their  credit. 

Revs.  A\'.  W.  Orr,  D.  D.,  D.  G.  Caldwell,  W.  O.  and 
J.  B.  Cochrane  were  reared  in  her  bounds.  William  L. 
Caldwell,  Thomas  N.  Johnson,  Jas.  R.  LItley  and  Samuel 
W.  Caldwell  are  the  present  bench  of  ruling  elders. 


412 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


Bartoiv,  F!a.  —  A 
transcript  from  the 
sessional  books  of 
this  church  will  give 
a  clear  understanding 
of  its  origin.  We, 
therefore,  quote  as 
follows : 

"We,  the  under- 
signed persons,  being 
members  of  different 
evangelical  Christian 
churches  in  various 
places,  gathered  to- 
gether at  Bartow, 
homes,  and  believing 
Fla.,  our  present 
that  it  would  be  for 
the  advancement  of 
the^  cause  of  religion, 
and  our  own  spiritual 
edification,  d  o  re- 
spectfully petition  the  Second  Presbytery  of  the  Associ- 
ate Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  South,  through 
your  representative.  Rev.  C.  S.  Young,  to  organize  us 
into  a  congregation  under  the  care  of  your  Presbytery." 
In  response  to  this  petition.  Presbytery  directed  Rev. 

C.  S.  Young  to  visit  Bartow  and  organize  a  congrega- 
tion, if  conditions  appeared  favorable.  Accordingly 
on  the  1 2th  of  January,  1890,  he  organized  the  petition- 
ers into  a  congregation  of  fifteen  members,  with  S.  J.  C. 
Dunlap  and  P.  W.  Daniel  as  elders,  and  Geo.  F.  Adams 
and  W.  L.  McDowell  as  deacons. 

The  Board  of  Plome  Missions  took  charge  of  the  mat- 
ter, and  sent  a  succession  of  ministers  to  preach  to  the 
congregation  until   November,   1892.     .-Xt  this  time  Rev. 

D.  G.   Phillips.  Jr.,  was  installed  as  its  pastor,  and   re- 


BARTOW,    FL.\. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       413 

tained  this  relation  to  it  until  December,  1896.  He  then 
demitted  his  charge.  Again  this  work  of  supplies  de- 
volved on  the  Board  of  Home  Missions.  As  before,  the 
Board  promptly,  and  almost  without  the  loss  of  a  day, 
supplied  the  pulpit  until  the  summer  of  1898.  In  July  of 
that  year  Rev.  E.  B.  Kennedy,  having  accepted  a  call  to 
the  pastorate,  arrived  in  Bartow,  and  on  the  loth  of  that 
month  preached  his  first  sermon  as  pastor.  By  appoint- 
ments of  Presbytery,  he  was  installed  on  the  20th  of 
August,  Revs.  C.  S.  Young  and  S.  W.  Reid  conducting 
the  installation  services.  The  former  addressed  the  can- 
didate and  the  latter  the  congregation. 

In  the  spring  of  1892  the  church  building  was  so  far 
completed  that  Presbytery  held  its  meeting  in  it.  In  the 
summer  of  that  year  it  was  finished.  It  is  a  substantial 
building,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  350.  in  the  center  of 
the  town,  within  easy  reach  of  the  members.  Including 
the  new  pews  added  in  1896,  it  cost  about  $4,500.00. 
The  present  membership  is  70,  with  seven  elders  and  one 
deacon. 

In  addition  to  two  sermons  every  Sabbath,  the  congre- 
gation has  a  weekly  prayer  meeting,  a  Sabbath  School 
and  an  active  Ladies"  Mission  and  Aid  Society. 

Beaver  Creek,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C. — Beaver  Creek,  in 
Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  appears  in  the  INIinutes  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  in  1806  and  1807,  and  nothing  more  can  be 
learned  of  it. 

Bessemer,  Gaston  Co.,  X.  C,  supplied  as  a  mission  for 
four  or  five  years  by  Rev.  I.  M.  Garrison  till  organized 
Feb.  13,  1898.  He  continued  his  welcome  ministrations 
till  Rev.  A.  T.  Lindsay  was  ordained  and  installed  pas- 
tor Sept.  2"/,  190 1.  It  has  about  30  members,  and  Messrs. 
John  T.  Oates  and  Zachariah  Payne  are  elders. 

Bethany,  S.  C— Bethany  Church,  in  York  Co..  S.  C. 
owes   its  origin   to  the   introduction   of  h\-mns   ir.to  the 


414  SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

worship  of  the  Presbyterian  Churches  in  the  vicinity  of 
Kings  Mountain.  This  innovation  caused  the  withdrawal 
of  a  number  of  famihes  from  the  Presbyterian  Churches. 
These  sent  Andrew  Ferguson  and  John  Miller  to  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  Carolinas, 
held  at  Black  River,  in  Sumter  Co.,  S.  C,  asking  for 
supplies. 

Rev.  James  Rogers  preached  for  them  for  awhile  at 
least.  Sometime  afterwards  they  petitioned  for  the 
stated  labors  of  Rev.  Wm.  Dixon,  a  licentiate  of  the 
Associate  Reformed  body.  For  eighteen  months  or 
more  they  worshipped  in  a  log  cabin  on  the  head  of 
Crowder's  Creek  on  the  skirts  of  Kings  Mountain.  The 
people  worshiping  at  this  point,  and  the  people  at  Sha- 
ron and  Carmel,  united  and  called  Rev.  Wm.  Dixon,  who 
was  ordained  and  installed  at  Sharon  in  the  year  1797. 
Bethany  proper  was  organized  at  a  stand  near  the  place 
where  the  present  church  now  is,  in  1797.  Bethany  en- 
joyed the  services  of  Mr.  Dixon  for  about  thirty-three 
years.  For  the  most  of  this  time  it  was  in  connection 
with  the  Associate  Synod.  After  Mr.  Dixon's  death, 
the  church  was  supplied  for  a  few  }-ears  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Banks,  but  his  abolition  sentiments  made  him  unpopular, 
and  he  returned  to  the  North. 

The  next  pastor  of  Bethany  was  Rev.  R.  C.  Grier,  D. 
D.,  who  was  ordained  and  installed  in  June,  1841,  and 
this  pleasant  and  profitable  relation  continued  for  seven 
years.  At  which  time  Dr.  Grier  was  called  to  the  Presi- 
dency of  Erskine  College.  In  1849  ^^v.  E.  E.  Boyce,  D. 
D.,  became  pastor  and  this  continued  until  1885.  During 
the  long  pastorate  of  Dr.  Boyce,  the  church  grew  and 
prospered,  and  continued  to  be  a  great  force  for  good  in 
the  communit_v. 

After  Dr.  Bo)^ce  resigned  the  church  remained  vacant 
for  about  two  years,  being  regularly  supplied  with 
preaching  by  the  Presbytery.  In  1887  Rev.  R.  M.  Stev- 
enson,  the   present   pastor,   took   charge   of  the   church, 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       415 

and  under  his  pastorate  Bethany  has  continued  to  be 
one  of  the  best  churches  of  the  i^resbytery. 

Bethany,  Lee  Co.,  Miss.,  is  located  at  "Brice's  Cross 
Roads,"  six  miles  from  Guntown  and  about  the  same 
distance  from  Baldwyn., 

Among  the  early  settlers  in  the  community  mention 
is  made  of  James  Turner,  who  came  in  1845,  followed 
two  years  later  by  John  Watt,  both  of  Anderson  Co.,  S. 
C.  Others  came  in  185 1,  several  of  whom  accompanied 
Rev.  J.  L.  Young  from  Providence,  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C. 

It  is  thought  that  Rev.  D.  P.  Robinson  was  the  first 
Associate  Reformed  minister,  who,  in  1846,  preached 
here.  Rev.  S.  P.  Davis  also  preached  here  in  1849.  The 
house  used  was  a  small  log  cabin  not  far  from  the  cross 
roads,  called  Providence,  belonging  to  the  Methodists. 
In  this  house  Rev.  J.  L.  Young  in  1851  preached  twice 
a  month  to  the  Associate  Reformed  people ;  now  be- 
come a  considerable  body.  And  here  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church,  named  Bethany,  was  organized  June  5, 

1852,  by  a  commission  of  the  x\labama  Presbytery,  com- 
posed of  Revs.  H.  H.  Robison  and  J.  L.  Young,  and 
Elders  McBryde,  Foster  and  Wisunon.  Twenty-five 
names  were  enrolled,  4  of  whom  were  colored  persons. 
Thomas  Bryson,  Samuel  Bryson  and  John  K.  Crocket 
were  elected  elders. 

Steps  were  at  once  taken  to  build  a  house  of  wor- 
ship. Maj.  Humphreys  donated  a  lot  containing  three 
and  three-fourth  acres  lying  near  Providence,  and  the 
church  occupied  for  public  worship  on  Sabbath  July  31, 

1853,  Rev.  J.  L.  Young  preaching  from  Isaiah  56:  6.  7. 
By  order  of  Synod,  Bethany  became  a  charter  member 

of  the  Presbytery  of  Memphis,  which  was  organized  at 
Ebenezer,  Miss..  April  15,  1853.  In  August  a  call  was 
extended  Rev.  J.  L.  Young,  and  on  \])ril  15,  1854,  he 
was  installed  pastor,  Rev.  H.  H.  Robison  preaching 
the  sermon.  Rev.  J.  A.  Sloan  propounding  questions  and 
addressing  pastor  and  people. 


4i6  SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

The  church  grew  rapidly.  At  the  installation  of  Mr. 
Young-,  two  years  from  the  organization,  52  members 
are  reported,  and  a  year  later  92  names  were  enrolled.  In 
the  fall  of  1856  Rev.  J.  L.  Young,  who  was  pastor  also 
of  Hopewell,  was,  upon  petition  to  Presbytery,  released 
from  that  field  that  he  might  "give  the  whole  of  his  time 
to  the  work  at  Bethany."  The  following  year,  1857,  is 
a  memorable  one  in  that  congregation,  owing  to  the 
prevalance  of  a  fatal  scourge  of  dysentery.  In  an  obitu- 
ary notice  Mr.  Young  mentioned  20  persons  who  "have 
died  in  mv  congregation  this  summer."  Those  were  sad 
days,  but  sadder  were  to  come.  During  1858  and  '59 
troubles  began  which  greatly  disturbed  the  peace  and 
prosperity  of  Bethany.  In  1861  they  report  to  Pres- 
bytery, after  alluding  to  the  partial  adjustment  of  the 
troubles,  "Our  church  has  been  materially  decreased  in 
numbers  by  death,  disafifections  and  removals."  But  an- 
other shadow  overfell  just  here:  The  war  between  the 
States.  Many  went  to  the  front  nevermore  to  return,  the 
church  itself  on  account  of  the  proximity  of  the  armies 
and  the  distraction  of  the  lines  was  closed  for  a  period. 
Immediately  around  Bethany  was  fought  the  Battle  of 
Brices'  Cross  Roads,  or  Tishomingo  Creek.  The  church 
battled  scarred,  became  a  hospital  where  the  wounded 
Federal  Soldiers  were  nursed  for  weeks.  "On  the  22nd 
of  July,  1864,  the  good  women  met  and  cleansed  the  sanc- 
tuary and  public  worship  was  again  resumed  July  31,, 
1864.  During  these  years  of  war  and  desolation  the  pastor 
faithfully  ministered  to  the  flock,  and  when  peace  came 
was  doing  what  he  could  to  repair  the  breaches,  when 
suddenly  on  the  31st  of  January,  1867,  he  passed  away. 

Rev.  S.  A.  Agnew,  on  request  of  congregation,  was 
sent  as  stated  supply  in  April,  1867,  was  called  and  in- 
stalled pastor  July  31,  1868.  This  pastorate  happily 
continued  until  his  death.  July  15,  1902. 

In  1872  a  new  church  was  built  and  occupied  for  the 
first   time   Dec.    15,   Rev.   D.    A.    Todd   of   Presbyterian 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       417 

Church  preaching-  from  Luke  14;  16,  17.     It  is  on  a  lot 
of  two  and  one-half  acres,  donated  by  William  Brice. 
Rev.  J.  L.  Boyd  is  at  present  serving  the  congregation. 

Bethel,  U'ilco.v  Co.,  Ala.,  is  in  the  eastern  section  of 
the  county,  and  a  few  miles  west  of  the  Louisville  and 
Nashville  R.  R.,  on  what  is  known  as  Oak  Hill.  It  was 
organized  about  the  year  1856  by  the  Alabama  Presby- 
tery. Thirty-two  members  entered  the  organization, 
15  male  and  17  female,  representing  14  families  and  7 
unmarried  persons.  Four  elders  were  elected  at  this 
time,  but  names  are  not  given.  There  were  no  deacons 
chosen.  The  Rev.  John  Miller,  D.  D.,  was  the  first  pas- 
tor and  began  his  labors  in  1857  and  continued  until 
1867,  a  period  of  ten  years.  Lie  was  succeeded  by  Dr. 
William  Moffatt  Grier,  who  was  installed  that  year, 
1867,  and  continued  until  1871,  when  he  was  called  by 
the  Synod  to  the  Presidency  of  Erskine  College.  Dr. 
Miller  immediately  resumed  the  pastorate  of  Bethel 
and  served  the  congregation  till  the  spring  of  1878.  In 
the  fall  of  1879  Rev.  H.  M.  Henry,  D.  D.,  was  installed 
pastor  and  is  at  present  their  faithful  shepherd,  labor- 
ing among  them  with  great  acceptance  and  efficiency. 

Bethel  has  erected  tw^o  houses  of  worship.  The  first 
church  building  was  dedicated  July  5,  1857,  and  Rev. 
John  Miller,  D.  D.,  preached  the  sermon.  This  date  is 
given  in  Thomas  Clark  McBryde's  old  book.  The  second 
house  and  the  one  now  occupied  by  the  congregation  was 
built  and  dedicated  Nov.  10,  1895,  the  Rev.  E.  P.  Mc- 
Clintock,  D.  D.,  preaching  the  sermon.  It  is  a  commo- 
dious frame  structure,  "beautiful  for  situation"  and  well 
adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  congregation.  This  is  one 
of  the  strong,  active  congregations  of  the  Synod.  The 
membership  are  many  of  them  well-to-do  and  prosperous. 
They  are  liberal  with  their  means  and  interested  in  every 
good  work  of  the  church. 

This  church  has  given  some  strong  men  to  the  world, 
27 


41! 


SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 


who  have  become  prominent  in  their  spheres  of  activity. 
Among"  them  mention  is  made  of  J.  X.  and  B.  M.  Miller, 
of  Camden,  Ala.,  in  the  legal  profession,  also  Judge  John 
H.  Miller,  for  awhile  professor  of  mathematics  in  Ers- 
kine  College,  now  a  lawyer  of  prominence  in  Birming- 
ham, Ala.  These  are  sons  of  the  first  pastor  of  the 
church.  One  minister  was  reared  in  this  congregation, 
the  Rev.  James  G.  Dale,  now  a  missionary  of  the  A.  R. 
Church  in  Mexico. 


BETHEt.,  GA. 


Bethel,  Burke  County,  Georgia,  is  among  the  very 
oldest  churches  in  the  Synod.  It  is  known  that  the 
Psalms  of  David  were  sung  in  this  vicinity  earlv  in  the 
eighteenth  century.  But  there  is  no  record  of  an  organ- 
ized church  prior  to  1770.  At  that  time  a  church  was 
built  on  Buckhead  Creek.  Their  first  pastor  was  Rev. 
Thomas  Beattie.  He  died  soon  after  he  began  to  serve 
the  church.  Rev.  Wm.  Donaldson  was  the  next  pastor. 
He  was  a  man  of  wealth  and  influence.  When  the  strug- 
gle for  American  independence  began  he  stood  by  the 
King,  while  luost  of  his  people  were  on  the  side  of  the 
Colonies.  He  left  in  1776,  and  died  of  ship  fever  in 
Charleston.  The  church  was  now  vacant  for  manv  vears. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIOXS.       419 

Rev.  Josiah  Lewis  and  others  preaching  for  them  occa- 
sionally. The  next  regular  supply  was  Rev.  William 
McCamah.  He  began  his  work  in  1784,  remaining  until 
1788.  They  were  then  supplied  by  Thomas  Clark,  Air. 
Caddy  and  Peter  McMullen.  During  this  time  (1789) 
a  call  was  presented  to  the  Presbytery  of  Moneghan, 
Ireland.  In  response  Rev.  David  Bothwell  came.  He 
was  installed  in  1790.  He  died  June  ist,  1801.  At  this 
time  the  Ikickhead  Church  having  been  moved  a  time  or 
two.  was  finally  located  where  Bethel  now  stands.  There 
was  also  a  church  in  the  town  of  Louisville  during  this 
pastorate.  The  ruling  elders  were  Governor  Jared  Ir- 
vine, Gov.  James  Jackson,  Gov.  David  Imanuel  and 
others,  .\fter  the  death  of  David  IJothwell  the  church 
was  vacant  again  for  some  time.  Rev.  Alexander  Por- 
ter and  Rev.  David  Kerr  preaching  for  thchi  a  part  of 
this  time.  Rev.  Joseph  Lowry  was  installed  pastor  in 
1814.  He  was  their  pastor  until  his  death,  July  20.  1840. 
Rev.  J.  S.  Pressly  was  installed  pastor  in  1842.  He  de- 
mitted  the  charge  in  1845.  Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips  was  in- 
stalled on  Aug.  iith,  i84<j.  During  his  pastorate  a 
church  was  organized  at  Louisville  and  Pine  Hill  in  1840. 
The  elders  were  Samuel  Gordon,  Thomas  Little.  Wil- 
liam Patterson  and  John  Allen.  When  Dr.  Phillips  was 
installed  they  were  Robert  r)Oyd.  W'illiam  Patterson,  R. 
J.  Patterson  and  W.  S.  Lowry.  In  1876  Dr.  Phillips 
demitted  the  Bethel  branch  of  his  pastoral  charge. 
Bethel  was  then  supplied  by  Rev.  A.  L.  Patterson.  In 
May,  1877,  Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway  was  installed.  He  con- 
tinued until  1884.  Rev.  J.  S.  Mills  was  installed  in  1885 
and  is  still  their  pastor.  The  present  Bench  of  Elders 
are  J.  D.  H.  Alexander,  E.  T.  Agerton,  Wm.  Johnston 
and  W.  L.  McBride. 

Bethel,  Cleveland  Co.,  \.  C. — (Organized  March  4th. 
1876,  by  division  of  Xebo.  Supplied  from  organization 
till  June   I,   1877.  by  Rev.  J.   M.  McLain,  when  he  be- 


420      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

came  pastor,  resigning  Sept  — ,  1882.  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love 
served  as  stated  supply  from  Dec,  1882,  till  March,  1885. 
Rev.  J.  M.  Grier  having  supplied  this  church  for  some 
time  before  was  installed  pastor  Aug.  17,  1888,  and  re- 
signed Sept.  3rd,  189 1.  Rev.  J.  M.  Garrison  was  or- 
dained and  installed  pastor  April  27,  1892,  and  still  imin- 
isters.  A  large  and  substantial  church  was  erected  in 
1876,  mostly  by  the  generosity  of  iNIr.  W.  O.  Ware. 

Bethel^  (Ora),  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C. — This  church, 
known  also  in  the  early  minutes  of  Presbytery  as  "Ma- 
dole's  Old  Field,"  and  as  "Warrior  Creek,"  is  possibly 
one  of  the  oldest  in  the  Synod.  It  is  mentioned  as  a  va- 
cancy in  the  year  1790,  when  the  Presbytery  was  organ- 
ized. But  the  earliest  records  go  back  only  to  the  year 
1808.  About  this  time  (which  must  be  an  error)  it  is 
stated  that  the  congregation  was  organized  by  Rev.  John 
Rennick,  Jr.  On  June  28,  1809,  Rev.  Rennick  became 
stated  supply  of  the  church  in  connection  with  his  pas- 
torate of  Gilders  Creek  in  Newberry  Co.  He  continued 
to  supply  the  church  until  March  10,  1812,  when  he  be- 
came pastor.  He  remained  pastor  until  Nov.  nth,  1825. 
For  some  sixteen  years  Mr.  Rennick,  the  first  preacher, 
continued  to  minister  to  this  people.  His  resignation  was 
due  to  a  lack  of  support. 

The  first  elders  of  Bethel  church  were  Alexander 
Taylor  and  Maxey,  McCormick,  after  the  death  of  Mr. 
Taylor,  and  the  removal  of  Mr.  McCormick  to  Ohio, 
the  following  elders  were  ordained :  W.  Cowan,  Dr. 
John  Todd,  Robert  Gilliland.  After  Mr.  Rennick  gave 
up  the  pastorate  of  the  church  he  continued  to  preach 
for  some  time,  once  a  month,  for  the  people  until  feeble 
health  c(>mpelled  him  to  give  up  work.  The  church  was 
then  vacant  for  a  numljcr  of  years,  but  was  supplied  by 
Dr.  John  T.  Pressly  and  Rev.  Henry  Bryson  for  several 
years.  About  the  time  that  father  Bryson  was  supply- 
ing  the    church,    as    i)n)l)ati()ner,    John    McClintock   and 


SKETCHES  OF  COXGREGATIOXS.       421 

James  Taylor  were  elected  to  the  eldership.  Drs.  E.  E. 
and  James  P.  Pressly  preached  frequently  at  Bethel 
during  this  period  of  its  history,  while  it  was  without  a 
pastor.  In  the  year  1836  Rev.  J.  L.  Young  was  called 
and  settled  as  pastor.  He  had  four  churches  under  his 
care — Bethel,  Laurens  C.  H.,  Providence  and  Head 
Springs.  In  185 1  the  pastoral  relationship  was  dissolved, 
Mr.  Young  moving  to  Bethany,  Aliss.,  taking  a  good 
part  of  his  Providence  congregation  with  him.  Rev.  J.  L. 
Young  is  spoken  of  as  an  earnest  and  instructive  preach- 
er, a  man  of  meek  and  patient  spirit,  much  beloved  by 
his  people. 

Rev.  D.  F.  Haddon  had  been  associated  with  Mr. 
Young  as  an  assistant  a  number  of  years  before  his  re- 
moval to  ^Mississippi.  After  the  pastoral  relation  at 
Bethel  with  ]\Ir.  Young  was  dissolved  Mr.  Haddon  con- 
tinued to  supply  the  church,  and  in  1854  was  settled  as 
pastor.  His  charge  was  Bethel,  Head  Springs  and 
Providence.  For  fifty  years  he  preached  for  the  people 
of  Bethel,  for  more  than  forty  he  was  pastor.  .  He  had 
given  up  the  church  two  of  three  years  before  his  death 
which  occurred  in  December,  1896.  The  session  of 
Bethel,  John  !McClintock,  John  Fleming,  James  R.  Todd, 
and  F.  R.  ^IcCowan,  who  were  living  when  he  entered 
upon  the  work,  were  all  gone.  Father  Haddon's  name  is 
still  in  great  honor  among  his  people. 

After  Father  Haddon  demitted  his  church,  the  people 
were  supplied  for  some  time  by  Rev.  J.  J.  Grier,  also 
by  Rev.  J.  A.  Smith,  and  perhaps  others.  Rev.  H.  Rabb 
was  finally  called  and  settled  as  pastor  in  1896.  After  he 
demitted  his  charge  Rev.  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco  was  stated 
supply  from  1897  to  1899.  Then  Rev.  B.  H.  Grier  was 
called  in  190 1,  and  was  settled  as  pastor  August,  1901, 
and  still  continues  in  this  pleasant  relation.  The  con- 
gregation now  numbers  nearly  a  hundred.  It  is  not  so 
large  as  it  once  was.  having  given  oflf  many  of  its  mem- 
bers to  neiirhborine:  conirresfations.      But   it   still   has   a 


422       SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

good  membership.  A  tiourishing  Sabbath  School  with 
many  children  coming  in  as  good  material.  An  interest- 
ing Young'  Peoples'  Christian  Union  meets  twice  a  month 
with  about  25  members.  There  is  a  good  Ladies'  Mission- 
ary Society  meeting  once  a  month,  and  a  Bible  Class 
with  weekly  meetings.  The  present  session  consists  of 
W.  A.  McClintock,  D.  Y.  Thompson,  Dr.  A.  F.  Blakely, 
W.  M.  Bryson  and  S.  H.  Fleming;  Deacons,  W.  T. 
Blakely,  R.  H.  Fleming  and  W.  B.  Blakely.  Three 
church  buildings  have  been  erected  at  Bethel.  The  first 
was  a  log  house  with  board  seats  set  upon  pegs  or  stick 
legs,  without  backs.  The  second  church  was  a  union 
building  erected  jointly  with  the  Presbyterians  in  the 
year  1882.  In  1896  the  congregation  sold  its  interest  in 
the  union  church  to  their  brethren  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  erected  the  present  convenient  and  attrac- 
tive building  a  few  hundred  yards  north  of  the  old 
church. 

Bethel,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn. — It  is  not  known  when  it 
was  organized,  but  Rev.  Henry  Bryson  was  its  first  pas- 
tor. Rev.  Thomas  Parkinson  was  installed  pastor  over 
Bethel  in  1851,  and  demitted  the  pastorate  Jan.  8,  1857. 
Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan  became  pastor  during  that  same  year. 
Rev.  W.  S.  Castles  became  pastor  Nov.  2,  1893,  ^"d 
demitted  it  Sept.  29,  1894.  The  following  year,  1895, 
Bethel  was  consolidated  with  New  Hope  and  formed 
Elk  A'alley.. 

Bethcsda,  Ca. — This  church,  located  in  Cobb  Co.,  Ga., 
was  organized  March  24th,  1842,  by  order  of  Presbytery, 
Rev.  T.  T.  Turner  acting  as  Moderator.  It  had  12  .mem- 
bers at  the  time  of  organization,  and  Messrs.  Cornelius 
Gordon  and  David  Boyd  were  chosen  ruling  elders.  In 
1849  Wm.  R.  Chesnut  was  added  to  the  bench  of  elders, 
and  in  1850  D.  W.  Henderson,  and  in  1862  John  Mc- 
Donald also. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


423 


From  1842  to  1844  the  Rev.  T.  T.  Turner  was  pastor, 
and  in  1844  Synod  sent  Rev.  D.  C.  Haslet  to  this  field, 
and  he  began  work  in  1845.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
John  T.  Pressly  in  1848.  In  the  fall  of  1848  Rev.  A. 
E.  Ellis  was  called  for  one-fourth  time,  and  on  Friday 
before  the  4th  Sabbath  of  April,  1849,  was  installed. 
He  demitted  the  charge  in  1855,  and  died  the  same  year. 
From  1856  to  1862  several  ministers  served  them  for 
very  brief  periods,  viz.,  Revs.  Jos.  McDaniel,  Henry 
Ouigg,  Thomas  Turner.  By  appointment  of  Synod  Rev. 
Thomas  Turner  was  sent  as  stated  supply  in  1862.  How 
long  this  arrangement  continued  we  do  not  know. 

In  1855  there  were  17  families  represented  in  the 
congregation,  and  in  all  70  persons  w^ere  members  of  the 
organization  from  first  to  last. 

In  1873  the  congregation  dissolved,  part  joining  the 
Presbyterian  Church  and  part  the  A.  R.  Church  at  Pros- 
perity, now  Doraville,  Ga. 

Bcfhlchciii,  S.  C. — Probably  for  three-fourths  of  a 
century  there  has  been  preaching  at  this  point,  though 
recently  organized  into  a  church.  Many  will  recall 
"Groggy  Spring"  ;  a  misnomer,  however,  as  P>ethlehem 
has  always  l^een  its  proper  name,  so  sti])ulated  by  party 
who  gave  the  land  for  church  purposes.  A  number  of 
ministers  of  A.  R.  P.  Church  living  in  Due  West  preached 
here,  .\mong  whom  were  Drs.  Hemphill,  Bonner  and 
Young.  The  church  was  organized  May  4th,  1889, 
by  Dr.  R.  Lathan  and  elders  \Ym.  Lowry,  Wm.  Kennedy 
and  R.  S.  Galloway,  of  Due  \\'est.  with  7  members ;  S. 
P.  Pressly  and  ^^^  T.  Ellis,  who.  with  Mr.  Sloan  Ellis, 
constitute  the  session  at  present.  Rev.  Dr.  Lathan 
served  the  congregation  from  ]\lay,  1889,  until  Oct., 
1892.  Rev.  Wm.  Grier,  D.  D.,  frojn  Nov.,  1892,  until 
his  death,  Sept.,  1899.  Rev.  F.  Y.  Pressly  from  Oct., 
1899 — May,  1900. 

At  present  the  church  has  about  ;^y  members  and  has 
been  served  by  Rev.  D.  G.  Caldwell  since  Sept..  1900. 


424       SKETCHES  OP  CONGREGATIONS. 

Bculali,  Shelby  Co.,  Teiiii.,  was  presumably  a  charter 
member  of  the  Memphis  Presbytery.  It  was  originally 
known  as  Union,  more  commonly,  "Log  Union,"  prob- 
abl}'  suggested  by  the  building  in  which  services  were 
first  held.  It  is  located  20  miles  Northeast  of  Memphis 
and  about  12  miles  South  of  Rosemark.  At  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Memphis  Presbytery,  1853,  a  petition  was 
presented  by  Union  for  a  reorganization  of  that  congre- 
gation, and  it  is  supposed  that  the  name  was  then  changed 
to  Beulah.  It  was  regularly  supplied,  generally  with  a 
monthly  appointment.  In  1872  it  united  with  Mt.  Carmel 
in  calling  Rev.  R.  L.  Grier,  who  was  regularly  installed 
over  both  congregations  in  1873.  He  demitted  the  Mt. 
Carmel  branch  of  his  charge  in  1879,  but  continued  as 
pastor  of  Beulah  until  his  death  in  January  of  1881. 
Since  that  time  Beulah  has  been  supplied  generally  in 
connection  with  some  pastorate,  but  it  has  not  had  a  pas- 
tor since  1881.  Revs.  D.  W.  Reid  and  H.  Rabb  occa- 
sionally supplied  the  pulpit  from  Richland,  and  Rev. 
David  Pressly,  D.  D.,  while  pastor  of  Bloomington, 
1 886- 1 89 1,  preached  for  them  regularly-  Since  then  Rev. 
J.  P.  Erwin  and  several  other  brethren  ministered  to 
this  congregation  for  longer  or  shorter  periods. 
The  growth  of  this  church  has  been  greatly  hindered 
by  internal  conditions  which  have  prevailed  for  a  long 
period  of  time.  A  want  of  harmony  and  a  neglect  of 
Christian  forbearance  in  love  have  crippled  the  peace, 
purity  and  power  of  the  church.  A  work  of  grace  and 
the  recognition  of  the  divine  order — "peace  within  thy 
walls — prosperity  within  thy  palaces" — will  doubtless  yet 
cause  that  field  to  blossom  as  the  rose. 

Big  Creek,  Burke  Co.,  N.  C,  was  an  Associate  vacancy 
near  Morganton,  and  organized  some  time  before  1819. 
The  name  was  at  one  time  Morgan,  then  Bridge  Creek, 
and  later  McGiliards,  believed  to  be  the  same  or  succes- 
sors.    In  1822  there  were  4  families  and  7  members,  in 


SKETCHES  OF  COXGREGATIOXS.       425 

1840  there  were  7  families  and  12  members.  After  this 
no  records  in  our  possession  show  what  became  of  this 
vacancy. 

Big  Spring,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  appears  on  the  roll  of 
the  Associate  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  from  181 1  until 
1820.  In  181 1  it  united  with  Xeely's  Creek,  and  Shiloh 
in  a  call  to  Rev.  John  Mushat,  which  he  declined.  This 
is  all  the  information  that  can  be  obtained  of  this  church. 

Blanche,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,  is  about  7  miles  from 
Prosperity  church  and  the  two  form  the  present  pastorate 
of  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Hood.  It  was  organized  about  the  year 
1870  by  the  Tennessee  Presbytery.  It  was  first  supplied 
by  the  Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan,  to  whom  the  organization  was 
largely  due. 

Rev.  J.  B.  Muse  was  the  first  pastor,  installed  in  1873 
or  1874.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  O.  Y.  Bonner,  who 
was  installed  perhaps  in  1887.  Rev.  A.  Ranson  followed 
him  in  the  pastorate,  being  installed  in  the  fall  of  1895. 
The  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Hood,  was  in- 
stalled pastor  July  5,  1902.  Each  of  these  pastors  gave 
this  church  about  one-third  time. 

Blanche  has  had  but  one  church  building,  erected  in 
the  winter  of  1870  and  "71,  and  jointly  owned  with  the 
IMethodists.  They  each  occupy  the  church  for  worship 
day  about,  and  have  worked  together  in  peace  and 
harmony. 

Bloomington,  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  was  named  from  a 
small  town  (now  extinct)  by  that  name  about  3  miles 
east  of  Brighton  and  about  same  distance  north  of  Salem 
church.  The  exact  date  of  its  organization,  the  number 
composing  it.  etc.,  are  unknown  to  us.  "The  Rev. 
(John)  Wilson  reported  that  the  order  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  church  at  Bloomington  had  been  obeyed." 
This  from  minutes  of  Presbytery   (Memphis)    April  22, 


426       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

1864.  For  some  time  Rev.  Jas.  H.  Strong  was  directed 
by  Presbytery  to  supply  "Salem  and  connections." 
April  7,  1866,  Rev.  Strong  was  installed  pastor  of  Salem 
and  Bloomington,  but  this  pastoral  relation  with  the  lat- 
ter continued  but  little  over  a  year,  being  dissolved  by 
request  of  pastor  and  people  Sept.  7,  1867.  On  the  29th 
of  August,  1868,  the  Rev.  H.  L.  Murphy  was  installed 
over  Bloomington  and  Richland.  He  continued  pastor 
of  Bloomington  until  his  death,  November  24,  1878. 
Mr.  Murphy  was  a  fluent  and  impressive  speaker  and  a 
faithful  pastor  and  the  church  grew  under  his  ministry. 
Rev.  W.  Y.  Love  was  installed  pastor  of  Bloomington 
June  19,  1881,  for  three-fourths  time.  This  relation 
continued  for  a  year  and  three  months,  being  dissolved 
by  mutual  consent  Sept.  i,  1882.  The  pulpit  was  sup- 
plied by  Rev.  Horace  Rabb  during  1883  and  1884.  Rev. 
David  Pressly  was  installed  pastor  October  30,  1886,  and 
continued  in  this  relation  until  his  death,  July  29,  1891. 
During  the  next  five  years  various  persons  supplied  the 
pulpit.  In  the  mean  time  steps  were  taken  looking  to- 
ward the  removal  of  the  church  building  to  Brighton  on 
the  Illinois  Central  R.  R.,  and  uniting  with  the  Mt.  Pa- 
ran  church  in  forming  one  organization.  This  seemed 
a  necessity  to  both  congregations.  The  old  town  of 
Bloci'mington  had  disappeared,  both  churches  were  weak, 
and  a  promise  of  growth  and  strength  was  held  out  at 
Brighton  as  a  central  point  for  each  that  has  been  fully 
realized.  The  year  1896  will  be  remembered  as  an  event- 
ful one  in  the  history  of  these  churches.  On  the  25th  of 
April  of  that  year  Bloomington  and  Mt.  Paran  were 
consolidated  and  named  Brighton,  and  the  succeeding 
history  of  these  churches  will  be  found  under  the  sketch 
of  Brighton.  It  is  also  proper  to  state  here  that  on  Oct. 
19,  1896,  Rev.  W.  H.  Millen  was  installed  over  Brigh- 
ton, and  this  relation  still  continues.  The  Sessions  and 
Boards  of  Deacons  of  Bloomington  and  Mt.  Paran  by 
order  of  Prcsbvterv  were  consolidated  in  the  united 
church. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


427 


Bottcfoiit,  Bottctout  Co..  ]'a. — Rev.  \\m.  P.aldrige 
was  by  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Pa.  "admitted  to  the 
pastoral  charge  of  the  united  conoregations  of  James 
River  and  Bottetout  in  X'irginia  August.  1793."  It  is 
very  possible  the  congregation  emigrated  to  ( )hio. 


Boycc  Memorial, 
King's  Mouuiain, 
Cleveland  Co.,  N.  C. 
—  Contemporaneous 
in  her  organization, 
1876,  with  the  town. 
Rev.  J.  M.  ^IcLain 
was  first  stated,  and 
resident  supply,  and 
became  pastor  June 
I,  1877,  resigning 
April  5,  1881.  Rev. 
W.  Y.  Love  served 
as  regular  supply 
from  Dec,  1882,  to 
March,  1885,  and 
Rev.  R.  ^I.  Steven- 
son one  year  begin- 
ning April,  1886. 
Having    supplied    for 

some  time  previous.  Rev.  J.  M.  drier  was  installed  pas- 
tor Aug.  17,  1888,  and  demitted  his  charge  Sept.  3rd, 
1891.  Rev.  J.  M.  Garrison  began  stated  labors  January 
21.  1892,  being-  ordained  and  installed  ])ast()r  April  27th 
following. 

The  tirst  building  was  erected  in  1876.  a  comftM-table 
frame  structure,  at  a  cost  of  $700.00.  The  second  is 
brick,  of  modern  style,  more  centrally  Icx'atcd,  costing 
$4,000.00.  and  dedicated  ( )ct.  30th,  1898.  by  an  eloquent 
sermon  from  Rev.  J.  T.  Chalmers,  O.  1).,  Ex.  28:34. 
At    the    same    time   a    large   and   comfortable    ])arsonage 


BOVCE    MEMOKIAI..    KlX(i  S    MT.,   N.    C. 


428      SKETCHES  OF   CONGREGATIONS. 

was  provided,  costing  $1,500.00  She  was  refreshed  with 
a  revival  in  April,  1892.  W.  O.  Ware,  I.  B.  Falls,  W. 
B.  \\'eir,  J.  F.  McGill,  and  Capt.  F.  Billing  are  ruling 
elders. 

Bradley,  S.  C. — This  church  is  a  branch  of  Cedar 
Springs — a  part  of  the  same  congregation.  There  are 
two  places  of  worship,  but  one  organization.  The  build- 
ing at  Bradley  was  erected  largely  by  General  P.  H. 
Bradley.  It  was  put  up  in  1886  and  '87.  This  devoted 
man  wanted  a  house  of  worship  near  his  home.  Dr. 
Sloan  preached  the  dedication  sermon  in  July,  1887. 
Not  long  after  the  church  was  completed.  General  Brad- 
ley was  called  to  rest,  August  14th,  1887.  Dr.  Sloan 
continued  to  preach  for  the  people  here  as  well  as  at 
Cedar  Springs  until  his  death.  Dr.  Robt.  Lathan  was 
called  and  settled  at  Bradley,  Septepiber  28th,  1894.  He 
labored  most  faithfully  and  acceptably  here  until  called 
to  his  reward  by  death,  June  15th, 1896.  Rev.  D.  G. 
Phillips  was  chosen  pastor  and  did  most  excellent  work 
until  December  ist,  1901,  when  he  took  up  the  work  in 
Atlanta,  Ga.  The  church  is  vacant  at  this  time,  receiving 
supplies  of  preaching-  from  Rev.  J.  W.  Good,  Rev.  H.  B. 
Blakely  and  others. 

Brick  CJiiirch. — The  Brick  Church  is  situated  in  the 
western  part  of  Fairfield  County,  South  Carolina,  about 
twelve  miles  from  Winnsboro.  It  sits  in  a  beautiful 
grove  on  the  banks  of  Little  River. 

It  was  here  that  the  Synod  of  the  CaroHnas,  which  is 
now  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South,  was 
organized  on  May  9th,  1803.  For  this,  as  well  as  other 
reasons,  the  history  of  this  church  is  full  of  interest  to 
all  the  people  of  the  A.  R.  P.  churches.  The  church  was 
first  called  Little  River,  and  afterwards  Fbenezer,  but 
for  many  years  it  has  1)ecn  known  as  the  Brick  Church. 
When  it  was  organized,  we  are  unal)le  to  say.     Before 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


429 


BRICK    CHURCH,     S.    C. 


the  Revolutionary  War,  a  log  church  was  situated  two 
miles  west  of  the  present  church,  and  when  the  present 
church  -vas  built  in  1788,  the  location  was  changed  to 
the  present  site,  in  order  to  accommodate  the  people  who 
lived  on  the  east  side  of  Little  River. 

The  deed  to  the  land  on  which  the  Brick  Church  stands 
shows  that  it  was  conveyed  on  June  2nd,  1793,  by  Henry 
Crumpton,  to  the  following  persons  designated  in  the 
deed  as  members  of  this  church,  viz:  Benj.  Boyd,  John 
Martin,  Jas.  Gray,  Chas.  Montgomery,  John  Gray,  James 
Kincaid,  Aaron  Hawthorne,  Thomas  Lewers,  Wm.  Bell, 
Andrew  Gray,\\'m.  McMorries,  Sr.,  Wm.  McMorries,  Jr., 
Daniel  Cochran,  Callom  Forbes,  Hugh  IMontgomery, 
Robt.  Gray,  Wm.  Thompson,  Wm.  Richardson,  Robt. 
Martin,  Alexander  Kincaid,  James  Montee,  Robt. 
McGill,  Wm.  Holmes.  Wm.  Kearnaghan,  H.  Ronalds, 
R.  Robertson.  Hugh  Robertson,  Wm.  Kennedy,  Hy 
Harton,  S.  Richardson,  Wm.  Watt,  J.  Kennedy,  Wm. 
Southwick,  and  Agnes  Calhoun.  In  addition  to  these, 
wc  find  also  that  families  of  the  following  na^iies  belonged 
to  the  church  i)rior  to  1791,  viz:  McKemie,  Davidson, 
Turnijisced.  and  perhaps  others.     In  later  times,  we  find 


^3= 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


the  following  additional  names  as  members  and  some  of 
them  ofificers  in  the  church :  Nelson,  Sloan,  Robinson, 
McDowell,  Watt,  Martin,  Player,  Curry  and  Bell. 

Mrs.  Hutchinson,  a  member  of  the  church,  who  died 
a  few  years  ago,  said  that  she  remembered  hearing  her 
mother  and  others  tell,  that  after  the  crops  were  laid  by, 
that  their  fathers  and  grandfathers  would  go  to  the  brick- 
3'ard,  and  tramp  the  mud  into  mortar  with  their  bare 
feet,  put  it  into  moulds  with  their  hands,  carry  it  out  in 
the  sun  to  dry,  then  burning  the  kilns  by  night  and  day, 
and  that  to  them  it  was  a  labor  of  love  and  pleasure.  It 
took  them  a  long  time  to  get  ready  to  build,  but  the  build- 
ing was  finally  completed  in  1788,  and  it  stands  to-day, 
as  strong  and  solid  as  at  the  first,  showing  that  these  old 
men  did  their  work  well. 

Alexander  and  James  Kincaid,  and  perhaps  many  oth- 
ers, did  a  great  deal  in  building  the  church.  The  Kin- 
caids  were  large  planters,  and  were  officers  in  the  Rev- 
olutionary War.  Adam  and  John  Hawthorne  were  el- 
ders in  the  church  prior  to  1791.  Rev.  James  Rogers 
was  the  first  pastor  of  the  church,  so  far  as  we  can  learn. 
He  was  ordained  and  installed  over  the  Brick  Church, 
then  called  Little  River,  in  connection  with  King's  Creek, 
and  Cannon's  Creek,  in  Newberry  Co.,  on  Feb.  23rd, 
1791.  Mr.  Rogers  continued  to  be  pastor  until  his  death, 
Aug.  2 1st,  1830.  He  is  buried  at  the  Brick  Church. 
Rev.  James  Boyce  was  the  next  pastor,  and  was  installed 
in  1832,  and  continued  until  1843.  Rev.  Thomas  Ketchin 
was  pastor  from  1844  until  1852.  Rev.  C.  B.  Betts  was 
pastor  from  1855  until  1869. 

During  the  pastorates  of  Revs.  Rogers,  Boyce, 
Ketchin.  and  a  part  of  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Betts,  the 
Brick  Church  was  a  large  and  flourishing  congregation. 
The  membership  was  composed  of  the  wealthy  and  cul- 
tured planters  of  the  community,  and  large  crowds 
waited  on  the  gos])el  at  the  llrick  Church.  Mr.  Rogers 
taught  a  large  High  School  at  Monticcllo,  near  by,  which 


SKETCHES  OF  COXGREGATIONS.       431 

was  attended  by  pupils  from  many  parts  of  the  State. 
The  Brick  Church  was  made  up  of  the  noble  men  and 
women  of  the  Old  South.  In  1852,  the  church  and 
graveyard  was  inclosed  with  a  granite  stone  wall. 

Mr.  John  Glazier  Rabb  and  Mr.  R.  W.  Sloan  gave  their 
personal  supervision  to  the  work,  and  much  credit  is  due 
to  them  for  its  success. 

:\Irs.  Xancv  Rabb,  also,  ever  showed  a  deep  interest  in 
the  old  church.  For  twenty-five  years  previous  to  her 
death  in  1900,  Mrs.  Rabb  gathered  together  a  number  of 
hands  each  year,  and  had  the  graveyard  thoroughly 
cleaned.  Through  her  efforts  also  the  church  was  kept 
in  repair  during  the  years  when  it  was  dormant,  and  she 
now  sleeps  among  her  kindred  and  friends  in  the 
graveyard  of  the  old  Brick  Church.  The  war  of 
secession  played  havoc  with  the  Brick  Church.  It 
was  left  in  a  state  almost  of  disorganization.  Its 
men  were  slain,  the  homes  of  many  of  its  people  were 
left  in  ashes  by  Sherman's  army,  and  the  church  itself 
was  dismantled  and  used  as  quarters  by  the  invading 
army.  Out  of  the  great  number  of  men  from  the  Brick 
Church,who  went  to  the  war,  only  a  few^  returned. 

There  is  one  little  incident,  however,  in  connection 
with  this  old  church,  that  throws  a  little  light  upon  the 
blackness  of  war. 

When  the  Federal  army  came  to  Little  River,  just  at 
the  church,  they  found  that  the  Confederates  whom  they 
were  pursuing,  had  destroyed  the  bridge.  So  they  tore 
up  the  flooring  and  sleepers  of  the  church  and  rebuilt 
the  bridge.  Some  one  of  the  company  was  stirred  in 
heart  as  he  saw  the  desecration  of  the  Lord's  house, 
and  he  wrote  in  pencil  on  the  door  facing  of  the  church, 
these  WH^rds.  which  are  legible  to-day.  after  the  lapse  of 
thirty-eight  years:  "Citizens  of  this  community:  Please 
excuse  us  for  defacing  your  house  of  worship  so  much. 
It  was  absolutely  necessary  to  effect  a  crossing  over  the 
Creek,  as  the  Rcbs  destroyed  the  bridge.— A  Yankee." 


432 


SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 


So  great  was  the  blow  from  the  War  and  its  results 
that  the  church  declined,  until  it  disappeared  from  the 
roll  of  the  Presbytery  without  any  formal  act  of  disor- 
ganization. After  Mr.  Betts  resigned  in  1869,  occasional 
supplies  were  sent  by  the  Presbytery,  but  even  this 
ceased  about  twenty  years  ago.  The  old  Brick  Church, 
however,  was  not  to  remain  dead  forever.  About  the 
year  1891,  Rev.  A.  G.  Kirkpatrick,  the  pastor  of  New 
Hope,  began  to  cultivate  the  field  again,  and  under  his 
active  labors,  and  the  fostering  care  of  the  Session  of 
New  Hope,  it  revived  so  rapidly  that  on  Aug.  25th,  1.893, 
it  was  reorganized  with  twenty-one  members. 

In  1896,  Rev.  A.  G.  Kirkpatrick  was  installed  over  the 
Brick  Church  in  connection  with  Prosperity,  in  Newberry 
Co.,  and  this  pastorate  continued  until  1899, when  he  re- 
signed on  account  of  ill  health. 

The  history  of  this  old  church  has  been  a  noble  one. 

Prof.  McKemie,  of  Georgia,  whose  ancestors  for  three 
generations  are  in  the  cemetery  around  the  old  Brick 
Church,  says :  "That  old  Brick  Church  has  been  a  seed 
bed  from  which  transplants  have  gone  throughout  the 
South."  After  speaking  of  the  names  of  the  families 
already  mentioned  in  this  sketch,  he  says :  "If  I  were  in 
the  cemeter}',  I  could  recall  many  other  names  whose 
generations  have  carried  Presbyterianism  from  South 
Carolina  to  the  Pacific  Coast.  I  recall  two  ministers, 
Revs.  Joseph  and  John  E.  Davidson  (who  were  baptized 
in  the  Brick  Church  by  Dr.  Rogers)  who  passed  their 
ministerial  lives  in  North  Louisiana.  For  thirty-five 
years  Joseph  Davidson  preached  more  sermons,  married 
and  buried  more  people,  than  any  minister  in  North  Lou- 
isiana. John  E.  Davidson  was  a  graduate  of  Princeton, 
and  in  three  years  organized  six  or  seven  churches  in 
Louisiana,  but  he  'went  away'  just  as  his  star  was 
mounting." 

In  addition  to  these,  four  other  ministers  have  come 
from  the  Brick  Church,  viz :  Rev.  J.  B.  Watt,  Rev.  J.  A. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


433 


Sloan,  Rev.  John  E.  Martin,  and  Rev.  Horace  Rabb. 
There  are  others  perhaps,  but  we  have  not  been  able  to 
eet  their  names. 

The  old  communion  service,  with  its  waiter,  tankard, 
cups,  and  Irish  linen,  more  than  a  century  old,  is  still 
in  possession  of  the  congregation. 

Brightoii,  Tipton  Co.,  Tcnn. — Is  on  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral R.  R.,  about  30  miles  northeast  of  Memphis  and 
seven  miles  southwest  from  Covington,  the  county  seat. 
It  was  formed  April  25,  1896,  by  the  consolidation  of 
Bloomington  and  Mt.  Paran,  at  this  place,  the  church 
taking  its  name  from  the  village  in  which  it  is  located. 
The  Sessions  and  Boards  of  Deacons  of  the  two  churches 
were  consolidated  in  the  united  church,  and  the  Rev.  W. 
H.  Millen  was  installed  as  the  first  pastor,  Oct.  19,  1896, 
giving  one-half  time  to  this  congregation.  It  is  a  live 
and  growing  church  and  seems  to  have  entered  an  era  of 
prosperity  and  usefulness.  The  church  building  is  the 
old  Bloomington  church  building,  remodeled  and  nicely 
furnished,  and  is  well  located.  The  pastorate  of  Rev. 
Millen  happily  continues  to  the  present  time. 

Broad  Creek,  Rockbridge  Ca.,  Va. — "Mr.  Heron  re- 
ported the  following  persons  as  admitted  to  our  commu- 
nion at  Broad  Creek  on  the  23rd  and  24th  of  April,  1824: 
Elizabeth  Miller,  Margaret  Miller,  Margaret  Hamilton, 
Agnes  Jackson,  Nancy  McDonald,  Jane  Leyburn,,  for- 
merly of  the  Associate  R.  Church.  Also  the  following 
persons  not  formerly  in  communion :  John  Shaver,  Elea- 
nor Shaver,  James  Miller,  Wm.  Miller,  Jr.,  Martha  L. 
Miller,  George  Dial,  Susannah  Rebecca  Ginger,  Ann  El- 
lison, Rebecca  Ochiltree."  A  small  portion  of  his  time 
was  given  here  and  in  1824  a  church  was  organized  with 
15  families,  28  members.  Without  a  house  of  worship, 
preaching  was  conducted  by  occasional  ministers  to  this 
struggling  vacancy.  About  1849,  the  present  brick 
28 


434 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


church  was  completed,  and  July  26,  1850,  Dr.  W.  M. 
jMcEhvee  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor.  He  re- 
signed in  i860.  In  1861-1862  supplied  by  Presbyterian 
ministers,  Revs.  Ewing,  Hart,  Junkin  and  Bittenger.  In 
Alay,  1868,  Rev.  John  Hemphill  began  labors  in  the 
county  and  ministered  in  holy  things  till  1877.  Rev.  W. 
A.  Wilson,  Sept.,  1877,  to  Sept.  1878;  Rev.  J.  M.  Todd, 
D.  D.,  from  May  22,  1879,  to  July  20th;  Rev.  R.  M. 
Stevenson,  Feb.  20,  1881,  to  May  24th,  1886;  Revs.  E.  E. 
Pressly,  O.  Y.  Bonner  and  T.  W.  Sloan  each  served  dur- 
ing the  summers  of  '86-'88.  During  the  summer  of  1889, 
Dr.  W.  W.  Orr  held  a  revival  meeting  and  the  congrega- 
tion was  very  much  revived  and  in  Jan.,  1890,  on  a  visit 
of  Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter,  reorganized  by  the  election  and 
ordination  of  C.  P.  Nair,  Thqmas  Miller,  John  W.  Ayers, 
and  J.  H.  Harmon,  ruling  elders.  Rev.  J.  P.  Knox  began 
stated  labors  March  29th,  1890,  and  concluded  Oct.  18, 
1891  ;  Rev.  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco,  Dec,  1891  to  May,  1893; 
Rev.  J.  R.  McCormick,  July  i,  1893,  till  Oct.,  1897,  full 
time;  Rev.  E.  B.  Anderson,  Sept..  1898,  to  Dec,  1902. 
The  congregation  has  a  fine  opening  for  mission  work, 
and  their  heroic  struggles  for  the  maintenance  of  an 
inspired  Psalmody  will  be  owned  by  the  author. 

Buford  Moiniiiuvit. — Buford  Monument  Church  is  in 
Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  and  was  organized  by  the  First 
Presbytery  in  1893.  It  was  through  the  efforts  of  Rev. 
H.  B.  Blakely  that  this  church  was  organized,  and  it  was 
supplied  by  him  while  he  was  pastor  at  Lancaster.  It 
never  had  a  settled  pastor,  and  after  a  few  years  it  de- 
clined, and  was  finally,  about  1902,  merged  into  the 
church  at  Pleasant  Hill,  and  the  church  building  was 
removed  to  that  point,  where  it  now  stands. 

Btitler. — In  Freestone  Co.,  Texas,  was  organized  with 
nine  members  in  1879.  On  account  of  removals,  it  was 
disorganized  in  a  vear  or  two. 


SKETCHES  OF   CONGREGATIONS.       435 

Cambridge,  Iredell  Co.,  N.  C. — An  Associate  Church, 
at  Cook's  Crossing,  A.  T.  O.  R.  R.,  about  two  miles 
south  of  Troutman's,  was  organized  before  181 1,  when 
Rev.  John  Mushat  became  pastor,  resigning  Oct.,  1822, 
but  remaining  as  supply  till  Jan.,  1825.  They  united  with 
Stirling  and  Gilead  in  an  unsuccessful  call  for  Revs.  W. 
M.  McElwee  in  1826,  and  Archibald  Whyte  in  1827. 
Also  failed  in  calling  Revs.  Samuel  Wilson  in  1830,  J.  C. 
Bruce,  1831,  and  Horatio  Thompson,  1832.  These 
doubtless  supplied  there.  There  were  20  families  and 
43  members  in  1840.  Some  time  afterwards  the  con- 
gregation  united   with   New   Perth. 

Camp  Creek  in  Bradley  Co.,  Ark.,  was  organized  by 
Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  in  1875  with  20  members.  All  or  near- 
ly all,  of  them  had  recently  moved  from  York  County, 
vS.  C.  Arthur  and  William  Garrison  were  elected  elders. 
Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  supplied  them  half  time  in  1875,  Rev. 
J.  L.  Young  in  1876.  Rev.  H.  M.  Henry  in  1877  and  '8. 
About  that  time  some  families  moved  away,  others  trans- 
ferred their  membership  to  Hickory  Springs,  and  the 
organization  was  discontinued  in  1879. 

Camden,  JJllcox  Co.,  Ala.,  is  located  in  the  town  of 
that  name.  It  was  organized  in  September,  1890,  by 
Drs.  W.  ^^^  Orr  and  H.  M.  Henry  with  12  members. 
W.  C.  Jones  and  J.  N.  Miller  were  elected  elders  and  B. 
M.  ]\Iiller  and  \\\  J.  Bonner  deacons.  The  church  soon 
grew  to  sixty-five  members.  Immediately  after  organi- 
zation a  church  belonging  originally  to  the  U.  Presby- 
terians was  purchased  and  active  work  begun. 

"Within  its  walls  happy  marriages  have  been  consum- 
mated and  out  of  its  doors  have  been  borne  the  bodies  of 
our  ])recious  dead;  and  now  for  thirteen  years  we  have 
there  worshipped  God,  sung  the  songs  of  David  and  lis- 
tened to  profound  and  comforting  declarations  of  God's 
will,  wisdom  and  love." 


436      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Oh  the  2nd  Sabbath  of  August,  1891,  the  Sabbath 
School  was  organized  with  J.  N.  ^liller,  Esq.,  as  Super- 
intendent. Rev.  Jas.  A.  Lowry  was  the  first  pastor,  serv- 
ing the  congregation  with  a  monthly  appointment  from 
his  Dallas  County  home,  until  his  death  in  1898.  During 
his  pastorate  there  was  a  steady  growth  in  numbers  and 
spirit.  In  July,  1899,  Rev.  R.  L.  Robinson  was  called  to 
this  church  and  this  pastoral  relation  still  happily 
continues. 

Many  and  varied  influences,  covering  many  years,  led 
up  to  the  organization  of  the  Camden  church.  The 
members  originally  belonged  at  Oak  Hill,  the  mother 
church.  For  many  years  Dr.  John  Miller  preached  here 
and  in  the  surrounding  country.  Dr.  W.  M.  Grier  while 
pastor  at  Oak  Hill  often  preached  here,  and  Dr.  H.  M. 
Henry  followed  in  labors  and  prayers  for  this  people. 
Here  lived  E.  D.  McDaniel,  L.  D.  D.,  for  half  a  century, 
and  here,  or  near  here,  lived  many  graduates  of  Erskine 
College. 

For  many  years,  about  1860-65,  Rev.  W.  J.  Lowry 
lived  and  preached  here  occasionally  while  pastor  of 
Lebanon  A.  R.  P.  Church.  Rev.  W.  T.  Waller  was  sent 
here  by  Synod  in  1878,  and  Rev.  J.  S.  Mills  also  preached 
here  several  months.  Thus  was  the  way  prepared  for 
Rev.  W.  W.  Orr  when  he  came  in  1890  and  organized 
the  church. 

The  congregation  has  suffered  nmch  from  deaths  and 
removals  to  other  fields,  but  it  is  still  a  strong  church 
with  much  undeveloped  material  and  spiritual  power. 
It  owns  free  of  debt  a  large  central  lot  with  neat  and 
comfortable  house  of  worship  valued  at  $2,500.00.  The 
efficient  pastor,  Rev.  R.  L.  Robinson,  devotes  his  whole 
time  to  the  work,  which  is  w^ell  organized  with  Sabbath 
School  and  missionary  societies.  The  Young  People's  So- 
ciety was  organized  by  the  sainted  Miss  Fannie  Wallace. 
Camden  is  one  of  the  young  churches  of  Synod,  and 
.nmch  credit  in  its  development  is  due  to  the  enterprise 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       437 

of  the  Board  of  Home  [Missions.  It  is  growing  in  num- 
bers and  in  liberality,  responding  to  the  various  calls  of 
the  Synod  and  promptly  meeting  all  obligations  when 
due.     A  bright  prospect  is  before  this  church. 

Carmel,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  appears  on  the  roll  of  the 
Associate  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  before  181 1,  Rev. 
Win.  Dixon  preached  there  from  its  organization  proba- 
bly until  near  his  death.  In  a  sketch  of  Sharon  congre- 
gation by  the  Rev.  R.  A.  Ross,  D.  D.,  it  is  said  that,  in 
the  latter  part  of  1796  or  the  beginning  of  1797,  Sharon 
united  with  Bethany  in  the  northern  part  of  York  Co., 
and  with  Carmel  in  the  South,  in  a  call  to  Rev.  Wm. 
Dixon  then  recently  come  from  Scotland,  which  call  he 
accepted.  In  the  same  sketch  it  is  said  that,  in  1826, 
Sharon.  Tirzah  and  Carmel  Hill  united  in  a  call  to  Rev. 
W.  M.  ]\IcElwee  which  he  accepted.  It  disappears  from 
the  roll  some  time  in  the  '30's. 

Cedar  Creek,  Franklin  Co.,  Ala.,  appears  on  the  roll 
of  1842  as  a  vacancy  of  the  Tennessee  Presbytery.  It 
remained  in  this  Presbytery  until  its  final  disappearance. 

Cedar  Creek,  in  Milam  Co.,  Texas,  was  organized  by 
Rev.  J.  M.  Little  in  1884  with  9  members.  S.  G.  Little 
and  A.  B.  Oliver  were  ordained  elders.  In  1892  Cedar 
Creek  and  Pine  Oak  united  in  building  a  church  at  Mi- 
lano.  These  two  organizations  were  merged  into  one 
at  Milano  in  1893.  Rev.  J.  ]\I.  Little  was  the  stated 
supply. 

Cedar  Springs,  Abheiille  Co. — This  historic  and  an- 
cient church  dates  from  the  year  1780.  It  was  about 
this  time  that  Rev.  Thomas  Clark.  M.  D.,  came  from 
Salem,  X.  ^'.,  to  preach  to  that  part  of  his  congrega- 
tion which  had  emigrated  from  Ballobay.  Ireland,  in 
1764  and  settled  in   .\bbeville  District,  S.  C. 


438      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

The  congregation  was  likely  organized  in  the  y^ar 
1780,  though  it  was  not  till  the  year  1786  that  Dr.  Clark 
settled  as  pastor  permanently  of  Cedar  Springs  and 
Long  Cane.  This  good  and  truly  great  man  labored 
here  for  six  years.  It  was  his  privilege  to  see  the  Pres- 
bytery of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  organized  on  the 
24th  of  February,  1790.  No  record  can  be  found  of 
his  installation  over  Cedar  Springs  and  Long  Cane, 
though  we  find  that  the  Presbytery  ordered  his  settle- 
ment in  1 79 1.  Dr.  Clark  died  in  1792,  and  is  buried 
at  Cedar  Springs.  The  first  house  erected  by  the  con- 
gregation was  built  of  logs,  about  two  miles  southeast 
of  the  present  site.  The  name  of  the  church  was  derived 
from  a  cedar  tree  near  the  spring  where  the  first  church 
was  built.  Some  of  the  first  members  were  Robert 
Foster,  Eliza  Sinclair,  Mr.  Patterson,  McBryde,  Mor- 
row, Gibson  and  Robinson.  The  two  churches,  Long 
Cane  and  Cedar  Springs,  paid  Dr.  Clark  one  hundred 
pounds,  a  liberal  salary  for  the  time. 

The  next  pastor  of  Cedar  Springs  and  Long  Cane 
was  Rev.  Alexander  Porter.  He  was  installed  April  2, 
1798.  The  congregations  at  this  time  were  large.  The 
membership  was  large  in  the  year  1802 — 520  communi- 
cants were  reported.  At  the  communion  occasions  large 
ni;mbers  attended  from  other  churches — from  Due 
West,  Rocky  Springs  and  Generostee.  Tradition  says 
that  760  observed  the  sacrament  at  one  time.  These 
communions  were  great  spiritual  feasts  to  the  people. 
They  covered  five  days.  Thursday  was  fast  day.  Fri- 
day applicants  for  membership  were  received  or  kept 
back,  Saturday  and  Sabbath's  services  were  especially 
devoted  to  the  sacrament,  and  Monday  was  thanks- 
giving. Many  of  the  important  transactions  of  the 
Second  Presbytery  are  identified  with  Cedar  Springs 
and  Long  Cane.  Here  the  original  Presbytery  was 
organized,  and  here  the  Second  Presbytery  was  con- 
stituted April  8th,    1801.     On   account  of  Mr.   Porter's 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       439 

health  and  the  uncommon  largeness  of  his  pastoral 
charge  he  asked  to  be  relieved  of  one  of  his 
churches,  and  accordingly  gave  up  Long  Cane  Septem- 
ber 15th,  1803,  and  the  next  year  was  installed  as  pas- 
tor of  Cedar  Springs  alone. 

Mr.  Porter  continued  pastor  of  Cedar  Springs  until 
1 81 3.  The  next  year  Mr.  Porter  moved  with  a  number 
of  his  congregation  to  Ohio.  For  a  number  of  years 
Cedar  Springs  was  vacant  and  the  church  suffered  just 
as  her  sister'' congregation  of  Long  Cane,  on  account  of 
a  destitution  of  ordinances. 

In  the  vear  1817  Rev.  John  T.  Pressly  was  ordained 
and   installed   pastor.      This   proved   to   be   an   excellent 
choice.     Dr.  Pressly's  pastorate  was  abundantly  blessed. 
He  is  described  as  being  "a  man  untiring  in  labor,  punc- 
tual to  every  engagement,  and  faithful  in  preaching  the 
gospel  and  watching  for  souls."     Cedar  Springs  under 
his  ministry  reached  the  zenith  of  her  glory.     She  num- 
bered five   hundred   communicants  without   the  help   of 
Long  Cane.     It  was  at  this  period  that  the  church  gave 
three  voung  men  to  the  ministr}'— Rev.  Samuel  P.  Press- 
ly, D.  D.,  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  James  P. 
Pressly,  D.  D.    Dr.  John  T.  Pressly  conducted  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  here  at  Cedar  Springs.     He  was  the 
sole  professor.     Among  the   numerous  active  and   use- 
ful   members    were    the    Fosters,    McBrydes,    Devlins, 
Youngs,  ^IcCrearys  and  Presslys.     Later  on  came  such 
men  as  the   Kemiedy's   Morris,   Col.   John   Herst,   Wm. 
Patton,  Hamilton  Hill  and  others.     During  this  time  Dr. 
Pressly  supplied  Long  Cane  occasionally,  though  he  was 
not  installed  pastor  over  the  united  charge  until  the  year 
1828.     The  two  congregations  were  then   reunited  and 
continued   for  a  long  time  to  constitute  one  pastorate. 
The  church   was   much   weakened   during  Dr.   Pressly's 
pastorate,  that  is,  the  latter  part  of  it.  by  emigration  to 
the  West  and  Southwest.     It  was  her  diminishing  num- 
bers that  reconciled  Cedar  Springs  to  the  arrangement 


440       SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

of  sharing  her  pastor  with  her  sister  church.  Pohtical 
discussion  also  interfered  very  much  with  the  progress 
of  rehgion.  It  was  the  time  of  NulHfication  and  Abbe- 
ville County  seemed  to  be  the  center  of  the  fight  for  that 
principle.  Dr.  Jno.  T.  Pressly  discouraged  possibly  by 
the  constant  emigration  and  by  the  high  political  ferment, 
accepted  a  call  to  Allegheny,  Pa.,  in  the  year  1831.  Af- 
ter him  there  was  a  vacant  period  for  about  six  years. 
Rev.  W.  R.  Hemphill  was  called  and  settled  as  pastor 
in  1837.  For  eleven  years  he  labored  diligently  among 
this  people.  His  pastorate  was  abundantly  blessed — as 
many  as  thirty-five  connecting  in  one  year  with  the 
church.  In  1848  Dr.  Hemphill  was  chosen  to  a  profes- 
sorship in  Erskine  College,  and  demitted  his  charge. 
His  people  gave  him  up  with  the  greatest  reluctance. 
During  his  pastorate  three  ministers  went  out  from  the 
church — Rev.  W.  W.  Patton,  Rev.  Samuel  Morris  and 
Rev.  D.  P.  Robinson.  Revs.  J.  M.  Young,  David  Press- 
ly, Joseph  Pressly  and  J.  E.  Pressly  were  born  and 
partly  raised  in  Cedar  Springs  and  Long  Cane.  Rev. 
H.  T.  Sloan  was  called  and  settled  as  pastor  in  Novem- 
ber, 1850.  This  was  the  beginning  of  one  of  the  most  fruit- 
ful pastorates  in  the  Synod.  Faithfully  and  earnestly  did 
Dr.  Sloan  do  his  work  as  pastor  for  forty  years.  In 
1890  he  demitted  his  charge,  but  continued  to  preach  un- 
til a  short  time  before  his  death.  He  died  February 
13th,  1894.  There  were  several  seasons  of  revival  dur- 
ing Dr.  Sloan's  ministry,  and  the  church  experienced 
great  prosperity ;  but  there  was  a  constant  drain  on  the 
membership — a  number  going-  ofT  to  Troy,  a  new  congre- 
gation organized  in  1882,  some  to  Due  West  and  other 
places.  In  September,  1894,  Dr.  Robt.  Lathan  was  chosen 
pastor  of  Cedar  Springs  and  P.radlcy,  the  latter  being 
a  part  of  the  congregation  but  with  a  different  house  of 
worship.  Dr.  Lathan's  ministry  was  terminated  by  his 
death,  whicli  occurred  June  T^th,  iS,<)(^.  His  work  in  this 
field  was  short,  but  it  left  its  impress  upon   the  i->c(~)iile. 


SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS.       441 

After  him  Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips,  Jr.,  was  chosen,  Jan. 
1897,  and  remained  until  December,  1901.  The  present 
church  at  Cedar  Springs  was  built  in  1853,  during  the 
pastorate  of  Dr.  Sloan. 

Charlotte,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C. — By  order  of  Synod 
Dr.  H.  T.  Sloan  began  preaching  Nov.  26,  1873,  in 
Miller's  Hall,  and  March  ist  following  organized  with  14 
members.  Major  S.  W.  Reid  and  I.  X.  Wallace  provi- 
sional session.  A  lot  on  corner  5th  and  College  was  pur- 
chased for  $2,800,  and  a  chapel  erected  costing  $1,234, 
and  occupied  early  in  June  1874.  At  this  period  Dr. 
Sloan  retired.  Revs.  W.  M.  Hunter  was  stated  supply 
three  years,  beginning  Oct.  11,  1874,  J.  L.  Hemphill  one 
year,  beginnig  Nov.,  1877,  W.  L.  Waller  six,  beginning 
Sept.,  1878,  J.  C.  Galloway  one  from  Oct..  1884,  C.  E. 
McDonald  six  months  from  Oct.,  1885,  and  J.  S.  Mofifatt 
one,  beginning  April,  1886.  Rev.  C.  E.  Todd  began 
labor  Nov.  13,  1887,  and  was  installed  x\ug.  24,  1888. 
During  his  ministry  a  most  eligible  lot  corner  Third  and 
Tryon-— the  most  desirable  in  the  city  save  one — was 
purchased  at  $6,000,  and  a  handsome  $10,000  church 
erected  and  dedicated  Oct.  27,  1891,  by  the  Synod  body. 
A  substantial,  commodious  manse  was  erected  in  1893 
on  the  same  lot,  costing  $3,500.  Rev.  Todd  demitted 
April  9,  1895,  because  of  failing  health.  Rev.  T.  W. 
Sloan  was  his  immediate  successor,  being  installed  May 
8,  but  returned  in  October  to  his  first  pastorate,  Troy, 
S.  C. 

The  following  have  served  as  elders :  T.  R.  Magill, 
Prof.  J.  I.  McCain,  T.  M.  McConnell.  J.  B.  T^IcLaughlin, 
J.  H.'Ross.  R.  L.  C.  Cochrane,  G.  W.  Pressly,  M.  D.. 
Joseph  Davidson,  S.  W.  Reed,  W.  B.  McGinnis  and  J. 
Y.  Orders.  Present  session  :  T.  P.  Ross.  Prof.  J.  G. 
Baird.  J.  A.  Russell.  C.  ^1.  Strong.  M.  D..  R.  G.  Brice 
and  T.  S.  Harris. 
Rev.  J.  T.  Chalmers,  D.  D..  was  installed  .\pril  22,  1896. 


442       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

His  was  a  most  fruitful  ministry  in  enlarged  growth  and 
liberality.  The  manse  debt,  $1,700,  was  paid  and  both 
it  and  the  church  improved  and  beautified  at  a  cost  of 
$1,200.  The  membership  was  largely  increased  and  a 
second  church  liberally  projected.  This  brilliant  and 
fruitful  pastorate  was  closed  March  6,  1902,  by  his  la- 
mented death,  the  pulpit  being  supplied  for  nearly  two 
years  preceeding-  his  departure  because  of  ill  health. 

Rev.  J.  Knox  Montgomery  w^as  installed  Sept.  24, 
1902.  This  relation  continues  and  promises  great  use- 
fulness. 

In  the  early  struggles  a  band  of  devoted  women  went 
forth  weeping  bearing  precious  seed.  G.  G.  Nisbet  and 
afterward  T.  R.  Magill  gave  the  cause  their  devotion 
when  no  man  stood  with  them.  Rev.  C.  E.  Todd  led  the 
way  in  faith  and  enlargement  and  Dr.  Chalmers  wisely 
and  liberally  built.  The  ladies  paid  a  deserved  tribute 
when  they  placed  in  the  church  tablets  to  their  memory. 

A  single  licentiate  journeyed  there,  Oct.,  1874,  and 
greeted  a  little  company  in  an  humble  chapel  all  covered 
with  debt. 

Now  under  God's  blessing  they  are  two  bands,  with 
414  members  and  676  enrolled  S.  S.  Pupils. 

Charlotte,  Dixon  Co.,  Tenn.,  was  a  mission  of  the 
Tennessee  Presbytery.  Rev.  S.  S.  Ralston  preached 
here  on  two  occasions  in  1843.  ^^  never  had  a  pastor 
and  has  long  since  ceased  to  exist.  It  probably  was 
never  more  than  a  preaching  point. 

Chester,  S.  C. — In  the  year  1859,  an  attempt  was  made 
to  organize  a  church  in  Chester,  but  for  some  reason  it 
was  a  failure.  .  Soon  after  the  War,  Rev.  R.  W.  Brice, 
the  pastor  of  Hopewell  in  Chester  Co.,  began  preaching 
occasionally  at  Old  Purity  Presbyterian  Church,  three 
miles  east  of  Chester,  for  the  convenience  of  the  A.  R. 
P.    people    in    Chester,    and    some    of    the    members    of 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


CIIESTEK,    S.    I., 


443 

Hopewell       living 
near  that  church. 

At  a  meeting  of 
thie    First    Presby- 
tery at  Prosperity, 
N.     C,     in     April, 
1869,  Rev.  R.   W. 
Price  was  directed 
to        organize        a 
church  at  Chester. 
In   the   summer   of 
i86<;,     he     obeyed 
the   order   and   or- 
ganized £  church  of 
eighteen    members. 
The      organization 
was      effected      at 
Old     Purity,     and 
Joseph     W  y  1  i  e, 
Matthew^      White, 


W.  J.  Henry  and  John  Simpson  were  the  first  Elders. 

It  was  a  small  band,  but  they  w^ere  faithful  and  true, 
and  devotedly  attached  to  the  A.  R.  P.  Church.  In  1871 
the  congregation  bought  the  old  jNIethodist  church  on 
Centre  St.,  and  moved  into  town. 

In  1878  a  new  house  of  worship  was  erected  on  the 
same  site,  and  was  dedicated  March  15th,  1879,  the  dedi- 
cation sermon  being  preached  by  Rev.  \\'.  M.  Grier,  D. 
D.  Rev.  R.  W.  Brice  supplied  the  churcli  with  preaching 
one-fourth  time  until  1876,  when  Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  was 
called  for  three-fourths  of  bis  time,  and  in  the  course  of 
about  three  years  Mr.  Marion  was  called  for  the  whole 
of  his  time,  and  continued  pastor  until  he  resigned  m 
I^Iarch,  1882.  In  1883,  Rev.  Mason  W.  Pressly  was 
installed  and  continued  until  March  20th,  1886.  In 
April.  1886,  Rev.  J.  S.  Moffatt  became  pastor,  and  con- 
tinues until  the  present  time. 


444       SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

The  church  has  had  a  continuous  and  steady  growth, 
and  it  is  now  one  of  the  best  churches  in  the  Synod.  In 
1887  Mr.  Joseph  Wyhe,  one  of  the  Elders  of  the  church, 
presented  the  congregation  with  an  elegant  parsonage  on 
York  St.  The  present  nice  and  commodious  house  of 
worship  was  erected  in  1897,  and  was  dedicated  Feb. 
6th,  1898,  the  dedication  sermon  being  preached  by  Rev. 

C.  E.  McDonald. 

The  Chester  church  has  always  been  composed  large- 
ly of  the  most  substantial  people  of  the  city,  and  has 
always  exerted  a  marked  influence  in  the  com^munity. 

There  have  been  gracious  revivals  in  the  church  at 
various  times,  and  its  membership  is  made  up  of  intelli- 
gent and  godly  people.  Three  of  the  ministers  of  the 
Synod  were  members  of  this  congregation,  viz..  Revs. 
H.  M.  Henry,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  A.  White  and  Rev.  W.  B. 
Lindsay,  and  at  the  present  time  more  than  thirty  of  its 
members  have  had  a  Collegiate  education.  It  has  been 
most  liberal  in  the  support  of  all  the  institutions  and  en- 
terprises of  the  church.  One  of  its  Elders,  the  late  Joseph 
Wylie,  was  the  most  liberal  supporter  of  these  institu- 
tions and  enterprises  that  the  Synod  has  ever  had.  He 
was  a  very  successful  merchant  and  banker,  and  was 
blessed  with  large  means,  and  a  very  large  part  of  it  he 
gave  to  the  church,  and  all  its  membership  has  ever  been 
noted  for  their  zeal  and  liberality  to  the  cause  of  the 
Master. 

Besides  those  named  at  the  organization  of  the  church 
the  following  persons  have  been  Elders  in  this  church : 

D.  H.  Duncan,  David  Moffatt,  A.  G.  Brice,  J.  K.  Henry, 
S.  B.  Lathan,  J.  T.  Bigham,  M.  E.  White,  T.  H.  White 
and  Dr.  J.  B.  Bigham. 

Chicofa,  Tex. — A  church  was  organized  in  Chicota,  in 
Lamar  Co..  Texas,  in  the  fall  of  1883  with  T2  members. 
They  l)uilt  a  Ikuisc  of  worship  in  t886.  Rev.  E.  E.  Pat- 
terson was  stated  supply.     He  was  installed   pastor  for 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


445 


half  time  Xov.  3.  1888.  They  had  22  members  at  that 
time.  They  had  accessions  from  churches  in  York  Co., 
S.  C,  and  from  churches  in  other  sections  of  Eastern 
States.  A  good  school  was  established,  and  their  num- 
bers increased  to  65  by  1896.  Mr.  Patterson  gave  up 
the  work  and  left  that  field  in  Jan.,  1896.  That  year 
and  the  year  following  they  were  supplied  by  Revs.  L.  I. 
Echols  and  J.  H.  Simpson.  Rev.  T.  W.  Hayes  was  in- 
stalled pastor  Jan.  15,  1898,  for  half  time.  Their  num- 
ber had  increased  to  89,  and  their  strength  grown  till 
in  1903  they  asked  for  three-fourth  of  their  pastor's 
time.  In  1896  they  entertained  the  Synod  handsomely 
during  its  meeting  in  their  midst.  They  purchased  a 
convenient  house  for  a  parsonage  about  the  time  ^Nlr. 
Hayes  became  pastor.  The  school  building-  has  been  re- 
modeled, and  a  good  high  schol.  They  have  an  excel- 
lent S.  S.,  L.  B.  S.,  and  a  Y.  P.  C.  U. 


TAMPiCO,    MEX. 


Christ's  Church,  Taiiipico,  Republic  of  Mexico. — 
Tampico  perhaps  enjoys  the  remarkable  deference  of  be- 
ing the  spot  where  the  European  first  set  foot  on  the 
American   Continent.     "Americus   \'espucius   landed   at 


446      SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

Tampico  in  1497,  and  made  a  report  of  his  visit,  which 
is  very  interesting  reading." 

It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  southern  part  of  the 
State  of  Tamaulipas,  Mexico,  on  the  river  Panuco,  about 
six  miles  from  the  Gulf.  The  population  nujiibers  about 
20,000.  It  is  the  terminus  of  two  lines  of  railroad,  a 
third  being  in  process  of  construction  direct  to  Mexico 
City.  The  port  is  rapidly  increasing  in  importance,  and 
on  account  of  the  immense  river  harbor,  is  destined  to 
be  the  metropolis  of  the  Gulf  ports  in  the  republic. 

It  was  at  this  point  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  established 
her  first  independent  Foreign  Mission  in  January,  1880. 
Evangelical  work  had  been  established  here  as  early  as 
1876  by  the  G.  A.  P.  Church,  North,  in  the  U.  S.,  but 
was  abandoned  on  account  of  the  distance  and  its  in- 
accessibility to  the  center  of  that  Church's  operation. 

Christ's  Church  in  Tampico  has  the  distinction  of  be- 
ing the  first  church  organized  in  a  foreign  land  by  the 
Foreign  Missionary  Board  of  our  Church.  In  the  min- 
utes of  Synod  for  1879  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Mis- 
sions reported :  "We  have  selected  Tampico  on  the 
Gulf  Coast  as  our  mission  station  and  have  directed  our 
missionary  to  repair  to  that  place  at  an  early  period." 
The  missionary,  Neill  E.  Pressly,  arrived  at  Tampico 
with  his  family  on  the  6th  of  December,  1879. 

A  store-house  centrally  located  was  rented  and  fitted 
up  for  a  chapel  and  plainly  furnished,  and  in  that  building 
religious  services  were  conducted  three  times  a  week  un- 
til the  close  of  1889.  Many  were  the  difficulties  and 
stubborn  the  opposition  that  the  mission  encountered  in 
the  l^eginning.  The  conflict  was  a  daily  struggle.  For 
about  a  year  an  hired  house  with  almost  empty  pews, 
the  missionary  family  and  that  of  the  native  assistant 
were  the  only  evidence  of  evangelical  vvork  in  the  city. 
It  was  only  the  command  of  the  Mastdr  ,and  His 
promises  that  encouraged  the  laborers.  With  the  new 
vear   i88t,  the   first   ravs   of  light   were   seen,   the   grav 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       447 

morn  of  a  new  day  was  breaking.  One,  then  another, 
dared  to  declare  their  faith  pubhcly,  and  the  mission- 
ary was  eager  to  effect  an  organization. 

By  order  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  a  church 
was  organized  in  Tampico  on  June  the  26th,  188 1,  with 
fifteen  members.  The  first  person  baptized  was  a  bhnd 
woman,  Jesus  Gonzales,  on  the  29th  of  May,  1881,  and 
the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered  for  the  first  time  on 
July  3rd,  1881. 

In  1889  a  lot  in  the  center  of  the  city  was  secured, 
a  corner  lot,  on  Muelle  and  Estado  Streets,  and  a  pretty 
little  church  erected  50x30  at  a  cost  of  $5,500.00.  The 
church  was  dedicated  on  the  17th  of  January,  1890.  It 
is  substantially  built  of  brick  and   faces  the  south. 

One  hundred  and  seventy-three  adults  have  been  bap- 
tized and  received  into  the  membership  of  the  church. 
Ninety-six  youth  and  children  have  been  baptized,  whole 
number  baptized  269.  Collections  since  the  organization 
of  the  church  amount  to  $4,678.30. 

The  work  at  this  point  has  been  directed  from  its  be- 
ginning by  the  missionary,  assisted  by  Rev.  Pedro  Tru- 
jillo.  Only  one  ruling  elder,  Jose  Melo,  has  been  or- 
dained, and  he  died  rejoicing  in  the  hope  of  the  gospel 
on  Sept.  9th,  1898. 

Christ's  Church  is  the  young-  mother  church  of  the 
A.  R.  P.  Mission.  It  has  a  membership  of  eighty  odd, 
an  active  Sabbath  School  of  over  one  hundred  pupils,  a 
live  Christian  Endeavor  Society  of  ninety  members,  an 
encouraging  auxiliary  school  for  girls,  four  preaching 
stations,  and  the  future  grows  brighter. 

Clarkshitri:;,  Indiana. — Rev.  G.  Gordon  began  preach- 
ing here,  and  on  Oct.  ist,  1847,  was  authorized  by  Ky. 
Pres.  to  organize  a  church.  Sept.  9th,  1848,  he  reported 
the  organization  effected  with  John  Kincaid  and  James 
McCracken  as  elders.  He  continued  to  supply  the 
church.    Revs.  T.  S.  Lcc,  .\.  Ranson,  A.  S.  Montgomcrv, 


448       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

T.  T.  Turner,  J.  A.  Myers  and  probably  others  also 
preached  here  from  this  time  up  to  1870.  After  this  date 
no  mention  is  made  of  it  in  minutes  of  the  Presbytery. 
Sept.  1st,  1849,  the  session  referred  the  case  of  John 
Kincaid  for  marrying  Mary  E.,  his  deceased  wife's  sis- 
ter to  Presbytery  for  advice.  The  Presbytery  referred 
it  to  Synod  and  for  a  number  of  years  it  was  a  subject 
of  discussion  and  agitated  the  councils  of  Synod. 

Clover,  S.  C. — Clover  is  situated  in  York  Co.,  S.  C, 
about  ten  miles  from  Yorkville,  the  county  seat,  on  the 
line  of  the  Carolina  and  Northwestern  Railway.  The 
church  was  organized  May  24th,  1893.  For  some  time 
previous  to  the  organization,  Rev.  R.  M.  Stevenson 
preached  there  one  night  in  each  month,  and  after  the  or- 
ganization, Mr.  Stevenson  was  called  as  pastor  for  one- 
fourth  his  time,  and  was  installed  Nov.  23rd,  1893,  and 
still  continues  as  the  pastor.  Soon  after  the  organization 
the  people  built  a  neat  house  of  worship. 

Cochrane s  Vale,  Burke  Co.,  N.  C,  appears  upon  the 
roll  of  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  in  1822 
with  17  members  and  was  near  Old  Fort.  This  with 
other  mountain  churches  formed  a  kind  of  golden  chain 
or  via  sacra  for  Associate  ministers  to  the  Carolinas. 
In  1840  there  were  5  families  and  9  members.  Soon  af- 
ter this  for  some  reason  it  passed  from  our  roll. 

Coddle  Creek,  Iredell  Co.,  N.  C— Emigrants  from 
Western  Pennsylvania  settled  this  region  soon  after  Brad- 
dock's  defeat,  1755.  It  was  a  preaching  station  that 
year.  The  oldest  legible  tombstone  is  that  of  James 
Caruth,   deceased   Dec.  9th,    1757,  aged  27  years. 

A  society  of  Associates  organized  themselves  possibly 
before  1760.  In  answer  to  petitions  to  the  Associate 
Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  beginning  1762,  Revs.  James 
Proudfoot,  Robert  Annan,  Thomas  Clark,  M.  D.,   John 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  449 

Rodgers,  M.  D.,  James  Martin  and  Andrew  Patton  sup- 
plied them  at  long  and  hungry  intervals  till  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod. 

Then  Revs.  Thomas  Clark,  M.  D.,  and  John  Jamison 
visited  this  congregation  in  connection  with  the  others 
in  the  South  1782  to  1784.  Hopewell  on  the  Catawba 
River,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  (probably  Gilead)  and 
Coddle  Creek  presented  a  call  to  Rev.  John  Jamison  in 
1787,  which  was  declined. 

Rev.  John  Boyse  came  here  soon  after  licensure  in  the 
summer  of  1788,  and  being  ordained  July  i,  1789,  was 
installed  a  little  later.  His  early  and  lamented  death 
March  i8th,  1793,  left  them  again  destitute. 

At  the  earnest  request  of  Rev.  Jas.  Rogers  Rev.  John 
Hemphill  came,  preached  and  received  a  call  1795,  which 
was  declined. 

Rev.  James  McKnight  licensed  April  3rd,  1794,  by 
the  Second  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Pa.,  began  his  labors 
about  Jan.,  1795,  and  being  ordained  by  the  same  Pres- 
bytery Sept.,  1796,  was  the  next  year  installed  pastor. 
He  weighed  some  300  pounds,  with  a  voice  correspond- 
ing, regardless  of  terminal  qualities,  rode  rapidly  and 
drove  like  Jehu,  was  as  faithful  in  pastoral  visitations 
as  he  was  persistent  in  preaching.  Death  terminated  his 
labors  Sept.   17,   1831. 

Rev.  John  Graham  Witherspoon  was  ordained  and 
installed  pastor  Aug.  20th,  1834.  The  Synod  met  here 
in  1 84 1.  This  useful  and  punctual  pastor  died  lamented 
and  devout  men  carried  him  to  the  tomb  Jan,  6,  1846, 

Rev,  J.  E,  Pressly,  a  licentiate  of  the  Second  Presby- 
tery, was  called,  and  the  call  being  accepted,  he  was  or- 
dained and  installed  Feb,  12th,  1851.  A  large  and  com- 
modious house  of  worship  was  erected  in  1839.  This 
was  destroyed  by  fire  on  Sabbath,  Feb.  24th,  1884. 

The  next  day,  8:30  a.  m.,  the  congregation  met,  Dr. 
Pressly  as  chairman.  Two  fragments  of  leaves  from  the 
pulpit  Bible  had  been  gathered  up.  The  first  passage 
29 


450      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

that  could  be  read  was,  "Go  up  to  the  mountain  and 
bring  wood  and  build  the  house  and  I  will  take  pleasure 
in  it  and  I  will  be  glorified  saith  the  Lord."  The  people 
at  once  resolved  to  re-build.  It  was  finished  and  dedi- 
cated by  Rev.  W.  T.  Waller  June  29th  following. 

Dr.  Pressly  ceased  active  duty  Oct.,  1885,  and  his  offi- 
cial resignation  occurred  April  13th,  1886.  The  congre- 
gation then  called  Rev.  L.  B.  Stewart,  who  was  ordained 
and  installed  Nov.  19th,  1887,  and  served  till  April  7, 
1891.  The  pastoral  services  of  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love  were 
then  obtained  Jan.,  1892.  He  served  them  till  Oct.  30, 
1900.  Rev.  R.  C.  Davidson  now  serves  them,  having 
been  installed  May  24th,  1901.  , 

Rev.  N.  E.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  our  pioneer  missionary  to 
Mexico,  Rev.  M.  W.  Pressly,  Revs.  H.  R.  McAulay,  N. 
E.  Smith  and  G.  L.  Kerr  are  sons  of  this  church 

James  Carrigan  was  an  elder  during  Rev.  John 
Boyse's  pastorate  as  was  Robert  Neel,  Robert  Neel,  his 
son,  Hugh  Gillon  and  Adam  Ross  under  father  Mc- 
Knight.  From  1847  to  1869  Neel  McAulay,  William 
Knox,  Elam  Neel,  James  Bradford  and  George  G.  Mc- 
Knight.  In  1869  W.  M.  Bell,  Dr.  Edwin  N.  McAulay, 
William  A.  Kerr  and  W.  G.  Townsen.  In  1875  G.  L. 
Smith,  J.  K.  Morrison,  W.  C.  Patterson,  J.  C.  Neel  and 
John  B.  Wallace  and  T.  D.  Miller  and  later  James  Smith, 
W.  P.  Rogers,  Thomas  Keesler,  W.  M.  Nelson  and  Dr. 
A.  E.  Bell. 

The  first  building  was  a  rude  log  structure  weather- 
boarded  but  not  ceiled,  the  logs  and  rafters  being  inside 
ornaments.  It  stood  east  and  west  with  a  rude  pulpit 
on  the  north  side.  A  Mr.  Parks  generously  donated 
about  220  acres  of  land.  Two  hundred  were  sold  from 
the  proceeds  of  which  a  splendid  building  was  erected 
in  1839.  About  15  years  ago  Mr.  Nathaniel  Johnston 
bequeathed  $1,000  to  Coddle  Creek  academy.  This  fund 
is  invested  and  has  increased  in  value  to  $1,300.  The 
school  is  doing  a  good  work. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


451 


CENTEX NIALj    COLUMBIA,   S.   C. 


Colniiibia,  S.  C. — The  church  at  Columbia,  the  capital 
city  of  South  Carohna,  is  called  the  Centennial  Church, 
and  was  erected  as  a  memorial  of  the  one  hundredth  year 
of  the  existence  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of 
the  South.  In  the  summer  of  1896,  Rev.  J.  G.  Dale  was 
sent  to  Columbia  to  open  a  mission.  For  a  few  weeks 
preaching  services  were  held  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Hall 
which  was  kindly  tendered  for  their  use,  until  other  pro- 
vision could  be  made.  In  August  the  Hall  of  the  Wood- 
men of  the  World  was  rented,  and  continued  to  house 
the  mission  until  the  present  new  building  was  erected. 
Rev.  J.  G.  Dale  did  effective  work,  and  soon  there  was  a 
call  for  an  organization.  The  church  was  organized  by 
a  commission  of  the  First  Presbytery  consisting  of  Rev. 
G.  R.  White,  D.  D.,and  Elders  J.  A.  Brice  and  T.  H. 
Ketchin,  Feb.  ist,  1897. 

At  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  1898  in  Chester,  S.  C, 
Rev.  Dale  felt  constrained  to  give  up  the  work  in  Colum- 
bia and  go  to  Mexico  as  a  missionary,  and  the  church 
was  left  without  a  head  until  June,  1899,  when  Rev.  J. 
P.  Knox  was  sent  by  the  Board  of  Home  IMissions  to 
take  charge  of  the  work,  and  he  has  continued  the  faith- 


452       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

ful  and  efificient  pastor  ever  since.  In  the  winter  of  1900 
and  the  spring  of  1901,  Rev.  J.  P.  Knox  canvassed  the 
Synod  for  funds  to  build  the  church,  and  he  was  success- 
ful in  accomplishing  the  object  of  his  mission.  A  suita- 
ble lot  was  bought  on  Laurel  Street,  and  during  the 
year  1902,  a  beautiful  brick  edifice  was  erected,  and  the 
congregation  is  growing  and  prospering-. 

Concord,  Caharras  Co.,  N.  C,  was  organized  by  the 
First  Presbytery  Jan.  12,  1901,  with  25  members.  They 
have  been  supplied  by  the  Back  Creek  pastor.  The 
elders  are  D.  C.  Caldwell,  E.  B.  Grayem  and  R.  N.  Har- 
ris. Licentiate  J.  W.  Simpson  is  expected  to  begin  work 
about  the  middle  of  June,   1903. 

Concord,  S.  C. — This  organization  is  situated  about 
three  miles  north  of  Anderson  C.  H.,  S.  C.  It  is  one  of 
the  oldest  churches  in  the  Second  Presbytery.  Its  his- 
tory dating  back  as  early  as  1796,  or  even  earlier.  But 
the  records  are  quite  meager.  It  is  known,  however, 
that  Rev.  Peter  McMullen  began  preaching  in  the  open 
air  near  Rankins  Springs,  two  miles  from  the  present 
site.  The  church  was  supplied  by  many  ministers  at 
many  different  times,  but  mainly  by  ministers  from  De 
Witt's  Corner  (Due  West).  The  first  house  of  logs 
was  built  in  1797.  Rev.  Peter  McMullen  effected  the  or- 
ganization. The  first  elders  were  Robt.  Rankm,  John 
George  and  Benjamin  Dixon.  The  cliurch  has  borne 
four  names  :  Mt.  Nebo,  Six  and  Twenty,  Moorehead's 
Meeting  House  and  Concord.  After  1798  the  church 
was  supplied  by  Revs.  Jos.  McCauley,  Blackstock.  Por- 
ter, McGill,  Renwick,  Dickson,  Pinkerton  and  Dr.  Henry 
Bryson. 

Concord's  history  has  been  a  most  checkered  one,  and 
her  earliest  days,  her  best  days.  Dissension  divided  the 
church,  crippled  its  energies,  scattered  her  members,  and 
she  is  to  this  day  small  and  weak,  although  over  a  century 
old.     Rev.  A.  L.  Patterson  is  at  ])resent  the  stated  sujiply. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  453 

Comersville,  Ten  11..  was  a  part  of  the  pastoral  charge 
of  Rev.  S.  S.  Ralston  over  which  he  was  installed  June 
7,  1839.     It  has  ceased  to  exist. 

Corsicaiia — The  church  in  this  city  was  organized 
Oct.  16,  1895,  by  Revs.  W.  L.  Patterson  and  W.  \\\ 
Orr,  with  22  members.  Most  of  them  were  from  Rich- 
land and  Harmony,  J.  L.  Bonner,  Wirt  Robinson  and 
A.  W.  IMcQuiston  were  elected  elders.  Two  deacons 
were  were  also  chosen.  ^Ir.  Orr  returned  to  them  the 
next  February  and  supplied  the  mission  three  or  four 
months.  They  worshipped  in  the  City  Hall.  A  lot  for 
a  church  and  parsonage  was  secured  and  a  subscription 
started  to  raise  money  to  build.  Rev.  T.  W.  Hayes  was 
sent  to  supply  them  in  July,  1896,  and  prosecuted  the 
work  successfully  for  sixteen  months.  In  1897  Synod 
appointed  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr  to  this  mission  for  a  period 
of  five  years.  He  entered  upon  this  work  with  great  zeal. 
The  membership  increased  encouragingly,  and  the  pros- 
pects of  the  mission  grew  brighter.  The  work  of  rais- 
ing money  for  the  building  was  laid  upon  the  missionary-. 
This  being  a  co-operative  mission,  the  U,  P,  Board  of 
Church  Extension  appropriated  $1500,  The  Board  of 
Church  Extension  of  the  A,  R,  P.  Synod  appropriated 
$1,000.  and  he  was  asked  to  canvass  the  city,  and  the 
congregations  of  Synod  for  the  balance  needed.  This 
he  did.  Their  elegant  and  convenient  church  was  dedi- 
cated free  of  debt  Oct.  21,  1900.  The  entire  cost  of 
house  and  lot  was  $18,500.  The  congregation  erected 
a  parsonage  on  the  same  lot.  Mr.  Orr  resigned  the 
charge  at  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  1901.  Rev.  A.  J, 
Ran  son  was  appointed  to  have  charge  of  the  mission  for 
a  period  of  five  years.  He  entered  upon  the  work 
promptly.  The  mission  continues  to  prosper.  They  re- 
ported 96  members  in  1002.  Thev  have  a  promising 
S.  S..  L.  B,  Soc.  and  a  Y.  P.  C  U. 


454       SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

Covington,  Tipton  Co.,  Tcnn. — Was  organized  June 
27,  1903,  by  a  commission  of  the  Memphis  Presbytery, 
composed  of  Revs.  W.  H.  Millen,  (acting  on  account  of 
the  unavoidable  absence  of  Rev.  T.  G.  Boyce),  J.  P.  Er- 
win,  J.  W.  Baird  and  Elder  J.  L.  Baird.  22  charter 
members  were  enrolled,  coming  mainly  from  Salem, 
Brighton  and  Richland.  R.  S.  Baird,  formerly  serving 
at  Salem,  T.  R.  Hanna,  at  Brighton,  and  Wm.  R.  Boyd 
were  elected  Elders,  the  latter  being  ordained  at  this  time. 
Rev.  T.  P.  Pressly  conducted  a  few  days  meeting  here  in 
1891,  and  Rev.  T.  G.  Boyce,  by  request  of  Presbytery, 
supplied  them  with  a  monthly  appointment  during  1901 
and  1902,  and  the  Synod  of  1902  appointed  Rev.  J.  W. 
Baird  missionary  to  this  field.  He  began  his  labors  here 
January  i,  1903.  By  direction  of  the  Board  of  Home 
Missions,  he  began  at  once  the  raisingr  of  funds  for  the 
erection  of  a  church  building.  A  lot  of  140  feet  x  150 
feet,  on  the  corner  of  South  and  West  streets,  was  pur- 
chased at  a  cost  of  $835.00,  and  the  church,  which  is  to 
be  of  brick,  will  cost  over  $3,000.00. 

There  have  been  three  accessions  to  the  membership 
since  organization.  J.  C.  McQuiston  and  W.  P.  Clark 
were  ordained  deacons  at  the  organization. 

County  Line,  Texas. — County  Line  was  the  name  of  a 
school  house  near  the  line  of  Freestone  and  Navarro 
counties,  Texas.  Here  Rev.  T.  J.  Bonner  had  preached 
regularly  for  a  number  of  years.  Rev.  H.  Mosely,  of 
the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church,  also  preached  here 
occasionally.  Mr.  Mosely,  by  order  of  his  Presbytery, 
organized  a  church  at  this  place,  Oct.  11,  1865,  with  14 
members.  John  M.  McGilvary  and  Andrew  McMillen 
were  elected  elders.  It  was  agreed  to  leave  it  to  those 
entering  the  organization  to  decide  by  vote  what  denom- 
ination the  church  should  be.  The  majority  voted  that  it 
should  be  an  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  congre- 
gation.    They  agreed  also  that  it  be  placed  temporarily 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       455 

under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Texas  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States.  By  re- 
quest of  the  congregation,  Rev.  T.  J.  Bonner  suppHed 
them  regularly.  The  song  service  was  confined  strictly 
to  the  Scotch  version  of  the  Psalms.  A  comfortable 
house  as  a  union  church  was  built.  It  continued  to  be 
A.  R.  P.  church  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Cen- 
tral Texas  until  the  withdrawal  of  those  members  who 
went  into  the  Harmony  and  Richland  churches  at  their 
organization  in  September  and  October,  1876. 

Cross  Plains,  Ga. — Organized  1846.  Supplied  by 
Revs.  L.  Turner  and  A.  McElroy.  "A  vacancy  situated 
in  an  important  point  and  deserving  special  attention." 

Crowder's  Creek,  N.  C. — Crowder's  Creek  church  is 
situated  in  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C,  and  is  the  outgrowth  of 
a  mission  Sabbath  School  which  was  conducted  at  Pat- 
terson's school  house,  by  Mr.  W.  A.  Grier,  an  elder  in 
Pisgah  congregation.  An  organization  was  effected  May 
28th,  1892,  and  the  membership  was  made  up  from  mem- 
bers of  Pisgah  and  Bethany  residing  in  the  commun- 
ity. Rev.  R.  M.  Stevenson  was  installed  pastor  for  one- 
fourth  his  time,  Nov.  5th,  1892,  and  still  continues  to 
serve  them. 

Daltou,  Murray  Co.,  Ga. — Was  organized  by  Rev. 
Thomas  Turner,  1846.  J.  P.  Love,  Sr.,  was  an  active 
member.  The  whole  time  of  Rev.  W.  W.  Patton  was 
sought  and  declined  in  1847.  Revs.  J.  S.  Pressly 
preached  in  1847;  ^-  E.  Ellis  in  1848;  W.  M.  Sharp  and 
J.  Patrick,  1849;  H.  H.  Robinson,  1850,  and  A.  Ran- 
som in  1852.  "They  manifested  interest  in  attending 
on  the  means  of  grace." 

Rev.  Turner  moved  there  in  1853,  and  supplied  at 
intervals  till  about  '62.  In  1853  there  were  nine  fam- 
ilies, 15  members,  and  they  paid  $50  to  Domestic  Mis- 


456      SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

sions,  with  meagre  supplies  during  and  demoralized  by 
the  civil  war,  and  forsaken  by  their  under  shepherds, 
they  ceased  to  exist. 

Diamond  Hill,  Anderson  Co. — This  church  was  situ- 
ated not  far  from  the  present  site  of  Antreville,  S.  C. 
It  was  about  12  miles  from  Due  West,  and  about  the 
same  distance  from  Generostee.  The  congregation  here 
was  organized  Feb.  24,  1790,  and  was  regularly  sup- 
plied by  ministers  of  the  Second  Presbytery. 

Rev.  Robt.  Irwin  was  settled  as  pastor  of  Generostee 
in  the  year  1804,  aiid  about  that  time  became  pastor  for 
one-fourth  time  of  Diamond  Hill.  On  Nov.  8th,  1814, 
he  demitted  his  charge  for  lack  of  support.  The  con- 
gregation of  Diamond  Hill  does  not  appear  to  have  had 
another  pastor,  but  was  supplied  by  Rev.  Irwin  and  oth- 
ers. After  the  establishment  of  the  college  and  seminary 
at  Due  West,  different  ministers  would  go  up  and  preach, 
such  as  Dr.Hemphill,  Dr.  R.  C.  Grier  and  others.  There 
is  a  tradition  that  Dr.  J.  I.  Bonner  and  Dr.  J.  O.  Lindsay 
were  licensed  at  Diamond  Hill.  The  church  became  ex- 
tinct about  the  year  1850.  The  ancestors  of  Rev.  S.  W. 
Haddon  were  members  of  Diamond  Hill. 

Doraville,  Ga.,  Church. — Was  organized  Aug.  nth, 
1836,  by  Rev.  Thomas  Turner,  under  the  direction  of 
the  Second  Presbytery.  The  original  name  was  Pros- 
perity, but  when  it  was  removed  to  the  town  of  Dora- 
ville, the  name  was  changed.  Rev.  Turner  was  installed 
pastor  in  1836,  and  continued  as  such  until  March,  1841. 
Rev.  Haslet  and  others  supplied  the  pulpit  for  eight 
years.  Rev.  A.  E.  Ellis  was  installed  pastor  in  1849,  ^^^^ 
continued  to  serve  the  church  in  this  capacity  until  his 
death  in  1855.  The  church  was  then  vacant  for  many 
years,  J.  L.  McDaniel,  Andrew  McElroy  and  others 
preaching  for  them  occasionally.  During  the  war  they 
suffered  for  the  want  of  a  pastor  or  supply,  and  contin- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


457 


DORAVILLE,    GA. 

ued  so  even  after  the  war.  For  some  time  after  1870, 
the  church  was  regularly  supplied  by  Rev.  John  McEl- 
roy  Thev  had  no  pastor  until  1883,  when  Rev.  C.  E. 
Todd  was  installed.  In  1887  Rev.  Todd  demitted  the 
charge.  In  the  same  vear  Rev.  R.  E.  Patterson  was  m- 
stalled  pastor  and  served  them  until  1897.  The  church 
was  again  vacant,  but  was  regularly  supplied  by  Rev.  T. 
B.  Stewart  and  others.  In  1902.  Rev.  E.  E.  Strong,  the 
present  pastor,  was  ordained  and  installed.  Two  other 
churches.  New  Hope  and  Antioch.  have  been  added  to 
this  pastoral  charge. 

Due  [Fcf/.— Was  a  preaching  place  and  probably  an  or- 
ganized congregation  before  the  Revolution.  Dr.  Thomas 
Clark  frequentlv  supplied  the  pulpit,  but  the  f^rst  regular 
pastor  was  Rev.  Peter  ^IcMullen.  during  the  first  part  of 
whose  pastorate  there  was  a  large  and  flourishing  congre- 
gation. He  was  installed  in  the  spring  of  1794,  though  he 
had  probablv  served  as  supply  several  years  before  that, 
and  remained  pastor  until  Oct.  13.  1801.  For  the  next 
thirty  years  the  church  was  a  vacancy.  The  second  pastor, 
Dr.  E.  E.  Pressly.  was  not  born  for  several  years  after  Mr. 


458  SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


DUE    WEST,    S.    C. 


McMullen  gave  up  the  pulpit.  He  was  installed  pastor 
Aug.  7,  1830,  over  a  congregation  reduced  by  removals 
and  defection  to  twenty-five  (25)  members.  After  a  pas- 
torate of  thirty  (30)  years,  Dr.  Pressly  died  July  26, 
i860.  During  his  entire  time  there  was  uninterrupted 
harmony  between  pastor  and  people.  For  almost  the 
whole  period  of  his  pastorate,  he  was  also  the  President 
of  the  Theological  Seminary,  and  for  nine  years  of  the 
time  he  was  President  of  Erskine  College. 

Dr.  Pressly  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  R.  C.  Grier,  D.  D., 
who  was  installed  pastor  Nov.  10,  i860,  remaining  as 
such  until  his  death,  March  30,  1871.  During  the  greater 
part  of  his  pastorate,  Dr.  Grier  taught  in  the  Seminary, 
and  was  President  of  Erskine  College.  On  Jan.  6,  1872, 
Rev.  W.  L.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  son  of  Due  West's  second 
pastor  was  installed,  but  in  1889  Dr  Pressly  was  elected 
by  Synod  President  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  and  in 
the  following  year  he  gave  up  the  pastorate  for  that  work. 

While  Dr.  Grier  and  Dr.  W.  E.  Pressly  were  in  charge, 
large  numbers   were   gathered   into   the   church,   though 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  459 

many  of  them  went  into  other  congregations  on  reaching 
manhood  and  womanhood. 

Rev.  O.  Y.  Bonner  succeeded  Dr.  Pressly  as  pastor 
and  was  installed  June  14,  1890. 

The  fact  that  the  Theological  Seminary,  Erskine  Col- 
lege and  the  Due  West  Female  College  are  located  in  this 
congregation  has  contributed  not  a  little  to  its  life  and 
progress. 

The  Due  West  congregation  has  had  five  church 
buildings  in  the  course  of  its  history. 

The  following  ministers  and  theological  students  were 
either  born  or  reared  in  whole  or  in  part  in  this  con- 
gregation : 

Revs.  D.  F.  Haddon,  J.  O.  Lindsay,  D.  D.,  W.  M. 
Sharp,  J.  E.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  S.  A.  Agnew,  D.  D.,  W.  L. 
Pressly,"  D.  D.,  A.  E.  Ellis,  J.  L.  Grier,  W.  W.  Lindsay, 
W.  M.  Grier,  D.  D.,  L.  L.  D.,  J.  Y.  Fair,  D.  D.,  D.  B. 
Pressly,  J.  C.  Galloway,  D.  D.,  F.  Y.  Pressly,  D.  D.,  C. 
S.  Young,  J.  L.  Young,  J.  L.  Brownlee,  S.  W.  Haddon, 
H.  D.  Lindsay,  D.  D.,  C.  E.  Todd,  B.  H.  Grier,  O.  Y. 
Bonner,  J.  R.  Edwards,  R.  L.  Grier,  R.  L.  Bell,  J.  H. 
Pressly,  Oliver  Johnson,  M.  T.  Ellis,  R.  A.  Lee,  M.  B. 
Grier.  E.  B  Kennedy,  T.  M.  Kennedy,  J.  L.  Pressly,  B. 
J.  Gififen,  J.  T.  Young,  P.  A.  Pressly. 

This  congregation  has  been  fortunate  in  all  its  history 
in  its  officers  who  have  had  a  large  part  in  the  successful 
work  of  this  church.  The  present  officers  are :  Elders, 
R.  S.  Galloway,  J.  L  McCain,  J.  L.  Pressly,  P.  L.  Grier, 
and  J.  H.  Brooks;  Deacons,  A.  R.  Ellis,  H.  M.  Young, 
A.  S.  Kennedy,  R.  C.  Brownlee,  W.  C.  Agnew,  and 
E.  L.  Reid. 

Ehenezer,  Crawford  Co.,  Pa. — Organized  May  27, 
1865,  by  Lake  U.  P.  Presbytery.  Rev.  James  Burrows 
pastor  from  organization  till  his  death,  1886.  Both  pas- 
tor and  congregation  formed  a  part  of  the  First  Ohio 
Presbytery  and  joined  the  A.  R.   Synod  of  the  South, 


46o      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Sept,  19th,  1867.     Returned  to  U.  P.  Church  and  same 
Presbytery    May   30th,    1881. 

Eheneser  Cliurch,  York  Co.,  S.  C. — Was  situated 
about  three  miles  west  of  the  present  city  of  Rock  Hill, 
in  the  present  village  of  Ebenezer.  It  was  just  across 
the  road  from  the  present  Presbyterian  Church  by  that 
name.  It  is  probable  that  there  w^as  some  sort  of  an  or- 
ganization there  in  the  way  of  an  A.  R.  P.  church  during 
the  Revolutionary  War,  as  the  Presbyterians  date  their 
organization  from  1786,  and  the  A.  R.  Church  occupied 
the  place  first.  It  was  made  up  originally  of  Burghers, 
Antiburghers,  some  Presbyterians,  and  some  Covenant- 
ers, and  was  said  to  have  been  the  only  church  in  all  the 
surrounding  country. 

The  wish  to  introduce  the  Watts  Hymns  by  a  part  of 
the  congregation  caused  trouble,  which  ended  in  the  for- 
mation of  a  Presbyterian  Church  and  some  of  the  mem- 
bers also  joined  Tirzah  Church. 

Dr.  Thos.  Clark  preached  there  some  time  as  stated 
supply. 

Rev.  William  Blackstocks  was  installed  May  8th,  1794, 
in  connection  with  Neely's  Creek,  and  demitted  his 
charge  in  1804.  The  records  also  show  that  he  was  again 
pastor  from  181 1  until  July  12th,  1815.  On  April  3rd, 
1820,  Rev.  Eleazer  Harris  was  appointed  stated  supply 
at  Neely's  Creek  and  Ebenezer,  and  must  have  contin- 
ued to  supply,  the  church  for  a  good  many  years. 

Mr.  Harris  conducted  a  very  successful  High  School 
at  Ebenezer,  which  was  largely  patronized. 

This  church  appears  on  the  minutes  in  1822,  as  having 
twenty  families  and  thirty-two  members,  and  the  record 
says  it  was  disorganized  about  1828. 

Ebenezer,  Tippah  Co.,  Miss. — Is  located  near  the  pres- 
ent site  of  Cotton  Plant.  The  first  settlers  of  this  faith 
were  Andrew  Jones  and  family  and  William  McBrvde, 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       461 

who  came  from  Lebanon,  Wilcox  Co.,  Ala.,  in  1838. 
In  1839,  Rev.  John  Wilson  of  the  Tennessee  Presbytery- 
preached  for  them  one  week-day — the  first  sermon  by  an 
Associate  Reformed  minister  in  this  country.  In  1840, 
Rev.  S.  S.  Ralston  preached  a  week-day,  the  only  sermon 
that  year.  Revs.  Joseph  McCreary  and  N.  M.  Gordon 
spent  each  a  Sabbath  with  them  in  1841,  and  the  follow- 
year.  Revs.  S.  S.  Ralston,  J.  M.  Young  and  D.  Pressly 
preached  for  them  one  Sabbath  each.  Dec,  1839,  Major 
Robert  McBryde  and  family  had  arrived  from  Wilcox 
Co.,  Ala., — a  man  of  devoted  piety.  He  set  to  work  to 
build  up  the  church  of  his  fathers  in  the  neighborhood. 
On  July  1 6th,  1842,  a  church  was  organized  composed  of 
12  members.  Major  McBryde  and  Andrew  Jones  were 
elected  Elders.  The  organization  took  place  at  a  log 
school  house  near  the  present  site,  and  Rev.  John  Wilson 
officiated.  About  this  time  a  Sabbath-school  was  organ- 
ized by  Major  McBryde.  x-\fter  the  organization  in  the 
following  May,  Rev.  J.  M.  Young  dispensed  the  Lord's 
Supper  to  them.  A  like  service  was  held  in  August  of 
that  year  by  Rev.  David  Pressly.  During  1845  and  1846 
they  were  occasionallv  supplied  by  Revs.  D.  P.  Robinson, 
S.  P.  Davis,  J.  A.  Sloan,  J.  P.  Weed,  Rev.  Robinson 
coming  in  May,  1846,  as  stated  supply.  Rev.  T.  J.  Bonner 
preached  for  them  three  Sabbaths  in  1847,  ^^^  Rev.  Davis 
came  as  stated  supply  in  May.  In  1847,  Rev.  J.  A.  Sloan 
moderated  a  call  for  Rev.  Davis  and  he  was  installed  in 
September  of  that  year.  Shiloh,  Lafayette  Co.,  united 
with  Ebenezer  in  this  call,  and  Rev.  Davis  gave  half 
time  to  the  two  churches. 

In  1848  the  first  church  building  w^as  erected,  the  con- 
gregation up  to  this  time  having  used  a  log  school  house 
During  the  next  two  years  recruits  settled  in  the  con- 
gregation from  Generostee,  S.  C,  and  Lebanon,  Ala. 

In  the  spring  of  1850,  the  pastoral  rel-ation  between 
Rev.  Davis  and  his  charge  was  dissolved  by  mutual  con- 
sent.    They  were   supplied   for  a  time  by  Revs.   A.   F. 


462  SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Quay  and  H.  H.  Robison,  and  Rev.  H.  L.  Murphy,  of 
the  Second  Presbytery.  Synod  returned  Mr.  Robison 
here  for  the  year  1 850-1 851.  A  call  was  made  out  for 
him,  May  17,  1851,  and  the  installation  consummated 
July  24,  1852,  Rev.  J.  L.  Young  officiating.  This  pastor- 
ate continued  for  29  years,  until  his  death.  May  19,  1881. 
"For  about  ten  years,"  says  Bro.  Robison,  in  his  sketch 
of  the  church,  "the  congregation  was  blessed  by  a  steady 
increase  of  their  number," 

During  1852-1853,  the  second  house  of  worship  was 
erected,  the  former  having  become  too  small.  This  house 
was  used  by  the  Memphis  Presbytery  at  its  organization 
April  15,  1853,  "at  which  time  it  was  virtually  dedicated 
by  Rev.  John  Wilson  in  an  appropriate  sermon,  133 
Psalm,  Vs.  I." 

In  August,  1854,  Rev.  J.  L.  Young  conducted  revival 
services,  resulting  in  the  addition  of  20  members.  The 
congregation  having  now  largely  increased,  more  than 
one  half  time  was  desired,  and  this  being  also  true  of 
Shiloh,  Rev.  Robison  demitted  Shiloh  in  the  fall  of  1856, 
devoting  his  whole  time  to  Ebenezer.  During  the  winter 
of  1856-1857,  Mr.  Robison  was  laid  aside  on  account  of 
sickness,  and  his  pulpit  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  L.  McDaniel 
of  the  Georgia  Presbytery. 

A  few  years  later  the  War  came  on,  and  the  congrega- 
tion lost  20  men  in  full  communion  who  died  in  battle  or 
in  hospital.  But  after  peace,  in  the  next  18  months  50 
persons  identified  with  the  church.  The  growth  was  grad- 
ual and  continued  up  to  the  untimely  death  of  Bro. 
Robison. 

In  July,  1 88 1,  Rev.  D.  W.  Wiseman  began  supplying 
the  congregation  and  on  the  12th  of  November  was  called 
and  accepted,  but  owing  to  his  death  on  December  22, 
1881,  he  was  never  installed.  During  the  year  1882 
Revs.  Agnew,  David  Pressly,  T.  P.  Pressly  and  H.  Rabb 
preached  occasionally,  and  on  Nov.  11  of  this  year  Rev. 
W.  H.  Millcn  began  stated  labors.     The  following  year 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       463 

he  was  called  and  installed  August  11,  1883.  This  rela- 
tion continued  until  April  23,  1892,  when  he  demitted 
to  accept  calls  from  Ebenezer  and  Hinkston,  Ky. 
During  the  following  summer,  Rev.  J.  W.  Baird  preached 
for  them,  and  was  called,  and  on  Dec.  3,  1892,  was  or- 
dained and  installed.  This  relation  was  continued  until 
January  ist,  1903,  when  he  demitted,  that  he  might  take 
work  assigned  by  Synod,  at  Covington,  Tenn. 

Ebene::er. — In  Lincoln  Co.,  Ark.,  was  organized  at 
Layelle  Institute  by  Revs.  John  Wilson  and  J.  P.  Marion, 
in  the  fall  of  1869.  Seventeen  members  were  enrolled. 
Most  of  them  were  members  of  the  church  in  Monticello. 
A.  J.  Boyd  and  John  Nelson  were  elected  elders.  Mr. 
Boyd  and  family  had  recently  moved  from  Hopewell, 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C.  Mr.  Nelson,  originally  from  Chester 
Co.,  S.  C,  also,  had  been  connected  with  Mt.  Zion  while 
it  was  an  A.  R.  P.  church.  Their  first  house  of  worship, 
a  small  box  house  without  ceiling,  was  built  in  1872.  Ten 
years  later  a  neat  frame  building  was  erected  on  the  same 
site,  at  a  cost  of  about  $600.  Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  contin- 
ued to  supply  them  until  the  end  of  1870.  The  next  ten 
years  Rev.  John  Wilson  preached  to  them  once  a  month, 
except  a  few  months  in  1874  and  5,  when  Rev.  J.  S.  A. 
Hunter  supplied  them.  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  supplied 
them,  '82  to  '84.  They  had  only  occasional  supplies  until 
Rev.  J.  P.  Erwin  began  his  labors  among  them,  Nov., 
1885.  Pie  was  installed  pastor  for  half  time,  Feb.  19, 
1887.  The  church  had  then  27  members.  A.  J.  Boyd, 
John  Nelson  and  John  C.  Knox  constituted  the  session. 
During  this  pastorate  the  church  had  a  healthy  growth, 
increasing  in  numbers  and  activity.  But  about  the  year 
1891  it  began  to  suffer  heavily  by  removals.  It  has  con- 
tinued to  suffer  from  this  cause.  On  account  of  failing 
health,  Mr.  Erwin  resigned  his  pastoral  charge  and  the 
relation  was  dissolved  in  Nov.,  1892.  Rev.  J.  A.  Myers 
supplied  them  in  1893.     Rev.  J.  L.  Young  was  installed 


464 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


pastor  for  one-fourth  time,  June  20,  1896.  The  church 
had  then  34  members,  and  John  Nelson,  J.  C.  Knox,  J. 
C.  Boyd  and  J.  F.  Hunter  composed  the  session. 

Ehenezer. — In  the  neighborhood  of  County  Line,  was 
organized  in  1880  by  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson.  It  was 
formed  out  of  one  wing  of  Harmony.  A  subscription 
was  taken  up  for  a  building.  But  the  house  was  never 
erected,  and  in  1882  the  church  was  disorganized,  and  the 
members  returned  to  Harmony. 


EBENEZER,    GA. 

Ebene::er,  Ga. — There  is  no  record  to  show  when  Eb- 
enezer  was  organized.  It  was  probably  about  1770.  It 
may  have  been  much  later.  It  was  first  known  as  Fleet- 
ing's  meeting  house,  afterwards  as  Big  Creek.  So  far  as 
the  records  show,  there  never  was  a  time  when  Ebenezer 
and  Bethel  were  not  of  the  same  denomination.  There  is 
some  tradition,  however,  going  to  show  that  they  at  one 
time  belonged  to  different  branches  of  the  psalm  singing 
churches.  One  was  Burgher,  the  other  Anti-Burgher. 
The  history  of  the  two  churches  since  David  Bothwell's 
time  has  been  identical.  And  if  you  read  the  history  of 
Bethel  church,  you  have  the  history  of  Ebenezer  up  to 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       465 

1874.  At  that  time  Dr.  Phillips  demitted  all  of  his  pas- 
toral charge  except  Ebenezer.  He  continued  to  be  the 
pastor  of  this  church  until  December,  1892,  when,  on 
account  of  the  infirmities  of  age,  he  resigned  the  pastor- 
ate, after  having  served  this  church  for  forty-four  years. 
In  1848,  the  Elders  were  William  Little,  I\I.  G.  Scruggs 
and  W.  D.  Stone.  At  this  time,  1903,  James  A.  Flem- 
ming,  J.  H.  Cain,  A.  S.  Patterson. 

This  church  in  recent  vcars  has  suffered  greatly  from 
death  and  emigration,  and  by  removals  to  near  by  towns. 
A  short  time  before  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Phillips, 
Wrens  began  to  be  a  prosperous  village,  and  a  number 
of  Ebenezer  people  had  built  homes  there.  July  22,  1893, 
Rev.  J.  S.  Grier  was  installed  pastor.  It  was  during  his 
pastorate  that  they  began  to  have  regular  preaching  at 
Wrens.  He  also  preached  at  Ocalla,  and  other  points  in 
the  congregation.  A  parsonage  was  built  at  Ebenezer, 
and  a  church  at  Wrens.     He  resigned  in  April,  1896. 

Rev.  S.  W.  Reid  was  installed  May  8th,  1897.  But 
after  a  short  pastorate,  he  resigned  to  accept  work  at 
Louisville,  Ky.  He  demitted  in  Sept.,  1898.  Rev.  J.  A. 
Smith  was  called  to  this  church  in  1899,  and  installed 
Dec.  7,  1899. 

He  demitted,  Dec.  22,  1901,  the  charge  to  accept  work 
in  Russellville.  Ark.  Rev.  R.  E.  Hough  was  installed 
pastor  in  1902,  and  is  still  serving  in  that  capacity. 

The  Wrens  Branch  of  this  charge  was  organized  by 
the  election  of  the  following  officers :  ^^^  J.  Wren,  C.  J. 
Flemming,  J.  A.  Stone,  Elders ;  J.  E.  Flemming,  Aurtrey, 
Deacons. 

They  have  a  good  church  building,  a  handsome  parson- 
age, and  the  outlook  is  in  every  way  encouraging. 

Ehcnczcr,   Mecklenburg   Co.,   X.    C. — Was   organized 

about  January,  1870,  with  49  members,  principally  from 

those  living  in  the  western  wing  of  Sardis.     The  first 

building  was  erected  in  a  beautiful  grove,   1869.     Rev. 

30 


466 


SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 


EBENEZER,     N.     C. 


John  Hunter  was  instrumental  in  organizing  this  mis- 
sion and  supphed  them  till  Dec,  1875.  Prominent  in  this 
organization  and  erection  of  the  church  were  A.  H.,  J. 
W.,  and  Capt.  J.  E.  Griffith,  C.  E.  Bell,  J.  R.,  J.  M.,  and 
J.  Watt  Kirkpatrick,  Dr.  H.  K.  DeArmond  and  R.  H. 
Abernethy.  The  first  elders  were  A.  H.  Griffith,  J.  W. 
Griffith,  J.  R.  Kirkpatrick  and  John  Moore  Kirkpatrick. 
Rev.  G.  R.  White,  D.  D.,  was  called  in  1875,  began  la- 
bors Jan.  I,  1876,  and  was  installed  Oct.  29  following, 
and  continues  to  hold  the  affections  of  a  grateful  people. 
The  following  constitute  the  present  session  :  J.  C.  Bell, 
J.  H.  Bigham,  J.  Watt  Kirkpatrick,  John  H.  Griffith,  B. 
N.  Griffith,  and  the  venerable  J.  W.  Griffith,  a  charter 
elder.  F.  O.  Bell  was  ruling  elder,  but  answered  the 
higher  summons  among  the  four  and  twenty  elders. 

Prominent  in  erecting  the  $2,000.00  building  in  1899 
were  J.  Watt  Kirkpatrick,  F.  O.  Bell,  J.  H.  Griffith,  J. 
H.  Bigham.  J.  Walker  Griffith,  J.  E.  Weaver,  J.  B.  Clan- 
ton,  B.  N.  Griffith,  etc.  Special  mention  is  made  of  the 
moral  support,  activity  and  lil)cralit}-  of  the  ladies. 
Though  beginning  a  feeble  mission  she  has  never  asked 
help  of  Synod's   fund,   has  paid  liberally  to  all  causes, 


SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 


467 


carried  her  own  burdens,  and  built  two  churches.  Help- 
ing does  not  always  help.  Besides  this,  she  has  given 
four  loyal  sons  to  the  ministry,  E.  F.  and  A.  H.  Griffith, 
A.  G.  Kirkpatrick  and  J.  S.  drier. 


EBEXEZEK,    VA. 


Ehcnczcr,  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va. — Dates  back  to  1790, 
the  first  deed  of  one  acre,  costing  83^  cents,  was  made 
by  Andrew  Kinnear  to  Isaac  Lawson,  Jas.  Harper  and 
Lawrence  Mealy,  Trustees  for  House  Mountain  Meet- 
ing House,  April  5th,   1796. 

Rev.  David  Summerville,  a  Scotchman,  was  pioneer 
from  1790  to  1793,  the  date  of  his  death  in  Rockbridge. 

Rev.  John  Cree,  of  Perth,  Scotland,  became  pastor 
here  in  1796,  and  remained  till  1803.  Obtaining  supplies 
from  the  Associate  Synod,  Dr.  Andrew  Heron  was  or- 
dained and  installed  April  i,  18 15.  James  Lindsay,  John 
McKenny.  Thomas  Lecky,  Wm.  Gilmore,  Wm.  McCamp- 
bell  and  Thomas  Harper  were  his  Aarons  and  LIurs, 
while  James  Lecky,  Wm.  Wilson  and  Wm.  McCampbell 
were  ordained  deacons  May  5th,  1815.  About  this  time 
the  old  log  church  was  either  out  of  repair  or  abandoned 
and  the  congregation  used  Old  Monmouth  Presbyterian 
church  for  about  ten  vears.  The  name  Ebenezer  was  given 


468       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

in  1825,  at  which  time  it  is  inferred  the  brick  church  was 
built.  Andrew  Harper  was,  Aug.  19,  1825,  ordained 
ruHng  elder,  and  Thomas  Wilson,  deacon.  Dr.  Heron 
demitted  Aug.  i,  1832.  Dr.  H.  Thompson  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  March,  1834.  By  union  with  the 
First  Presbytery,  this  church,  April  16,  1844,  first  came 
into  connection  with  the  A.  R.  P.  Synod  South.  The 
session  was  re-enforced,  Oct.  28th.  1843,  t>y  the  addition 
of  Thomas  Lecky,  Moses  McCown,  and  Jas.  F.  Harper. 
The  latter  filled  many  positions  of  trust  in  church  and 
State,  and  died  Aug.  19th,  i860.  Dr.  Thompson  re- 
signed, that  another  pastor  might  be  introduced,  Nov.  i, 
1846.  His  fatherly  care  held  the  fort  till  the  eloquent 
and  magnetic  W.  M.  McElwee  came,  about  May  i,  1848, 
and  was  ordained  and  installed,  "with  flattering  pros- 
pects of  usefulness"  July  26,  1850.  John  Anderson,  Wm. 
P.  Nelson  and  John  McKemy  were  ordained  ruling  el- 
ders, June  loth,  1853.  The  Virginia  Presbytery  was  or- 
ganized here  May  8th,  1854. 

Bethel,  a  mission,  was  built,  1859,  and  dedicated  Jan. 
15th,  i860.  It  was  never  organized,  but  received  a  part 
of  the  labors  of  the  Ebenezer  pastor. 

On  the  9th  of  Sept.,  1859,  xA.ndrew  H.  Lecky,  Jas.  G. 
Dixon,  Wm.  A.  McKemy  and  Col.  Robert  H.  Brown 
were  set  apart  as  elders.  April  17,  1868,  Dr.  McElwee 
resigned  the  pastorate,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  L. 
Hemphill. 

Rev.  J.  L.  Hemphill  began  labors  here  May,  1868, 
and  was  ordained  and  installed  May  14,  1870,  and  ceased 
his  labors  about  Nov.  18,  1877.  Revs.  W.  A.  Wilson 
was  stated  supply  from  Sept.,  1877,  to  Sept.,  1878;  H.  R. 
^TcAulay,  Oct.  26,  1879.  to  Sept.,  1880;  S.  W.  Haddon, 
Nov.  14,  1880  to  Feb.  10,  1881  ;  R.  M.  Stevenson,  Feb. 
20,  1 88 1  to  April  19th,  1884,  when  he  became  pastor,  re- 
signing April  17,  1886.  C.  W.  Kirkpatrick  and  Robert 
A.  McKemy  were  ordained  elders  and  W.  Harvey  Dixon 
and  Finley  Brown  deacons,  Sept.  12,  1884.     Revs.  E.  E. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


469 


Pressly,  O.  Y.  Bonner  and  T.  W.  Sloan  served  from  July 
25,  1886,  to  Sept.,  1888.  After  a  protracted  destitution. 
Rev.  J.  P.  Knox  came,  April.  1890.  from  Allegheny 
Seminary,  and  labored  enthusiastically  till  Oct.  i8th, 
1891.  Rev.  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco  began  stated  labors  Dec. 
1891.  and  remained  till  May,  1893.  Rev.  E.  F.  Griffith 
was  ordained  and  installed  July  25,  1893,  and  demitted 
Nov.  i8th,  1896.  Harvey  Dixon  ordained  July  4,  1891, 
and  Jas.  G.  Dixon  constitute  the  session.  Rev.  D.  P. 
Neill  began  labors  first  Sabbath.  July,  1897,  and  was  in- 
stalled July  I,  1898,  and  remains  pastor. 

Ebenezer  has  furnished  one  minister.  Rev.  Lewis  Hick- 
man, of  Arkansas,  and  wives  for  Dr.  W.  M.  McElwee, 
Dr.  J.  C.  Galloway,  Revs.  Monroe  (Dates,  J.  L.  Hemphill, 
J.  R.  McCormick,  J.  B.  Hood  and  E.  F.  Griffith 

The  lot  and  manse,  which  cost  about  $1,215.00,  is  a 
credit  to  the  liberality  .of  this  people  It  was  begun  in 
June,  1889,  and  completed  in  June,  1892. 

The  present  new  and  beautiful  church,  costing  about 
$2,000.00,  was  dedicated  Aug.  21st,  1902.  It  represents 
not  only  money,  but  much  toil  and  patience. 


EBENEZER,    KV. 


Ebenezer,  Jessamine  Co..  Ky. — Organized  by   Second 
Presbvterv    of    Pennsylvania    and    transferred    to    A.    R. 


470 


SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 


Presbytery  of  Kentucky  upon  its  organization  Feb.  ii, 
1 80 1.  Revs.  John  Steele  and  Adam  Rankin  preached 
there  in  1802.  In  1803  the  congregation  made  out  a  call 
for  Rev.  Robt.  H.  Bishop,  which  he  was  willing  to  ac- 
cept, but  the  Presbytery  refused  to  permit  it,  as  he  was 
Professor  in  the  Transylvania  University  in  Lexington, 
about  20  miles  distant.  He  appealed  to  the  General 
Synod,  which,  in  1807,  sustained  him,  and  ordered  the 
Presbytery  to  install  him.  This  was  done  Sept.  28th, 
1808.  The  relation  was  dissolved  Oct.  27th,  1814.  It 
was  supplied  by  members  of  Presbytery,  viz.,  A.  Craig, 
D.  Reck,  W.  H.  Rainey,  John  Steele,  and  perhaps  others 
for  several  years.  In  1830  it  was  supplied  by  Rev. 
James  Walker  in  connection  with  New  Hope.  In  1833 
was  visited  by  Rev.  Andrew  Bower,  who  was  followed 
by  others  up  to  1840,  when  the  congregation  transferred 
its  membership  from  the  Synod  of  the  West  to  the  Synod 
of  the  South. 

Rev.  N.  M.  Gordon  began  preaching  here  Dec.  5th, 
1841,  under  appointment  of  the  Synod  of  the  South 
and  was  installed  as  pastor  May  13th,  1843.  The  church 
prospered  under  his  ministry,  which  continued  until  Oct. 
13th,  1870.  During  his  pastorate  the  wdiole  number 
enrolled  upon  the  church  book  was  185.  The  record 
shows  60  deaths,  besides  some  removals,  and  also  a  num- 
ber of  colored  servants  included  in  the  membership.  The 
membership  was  about  80  at  this  time.  In  1870  he,  with 
a  majority  of  the  congregation,  changed  his  connection 
to  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church. 

Rev.  W.  R.  Hemphill,  D.  D.,  began  preaching  to  those 
who  remained  in  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  on  the  19th  Dec, 
1870.  On  Saturday  before  the  first  Sabbath  of  June,  1871. 
he  reorganized  the  church  with  20  members,  with  James 
Rennick,  W.  L.  Guyn  and  R.  N.  Guyn  as  elders.  Dr. 
Hemphill  served  them  two  years.  He  was  followed  by 
Revs.  J  C.  Galloway,  G.  R.  White,  J.  S.  A.  Hunter,  J.  S. 
Mills  and  perhaps  others  until  1881.     Rev.  W.  O.  Coch- 


SKETCHES  OP  CONGREGATIONS.       471 

ran  was  installed  pastor  in  September,  1881,  and  con- 
tinued until  September,  1884.  The  church  was  sup- 
plied by  the  Board  of  Missions  until  1892 — Rev.  R. 
Y.  Mills  preaching  here  three  years,  1885,  6,  and  7.  Oct. 
I  St,  1892,  Rev.  W.  H.  Millen  was  installed  pastor,  which 
relation  continued  until  June  15th,  1896.  The  church 
grew  under  his  ministry,  but  never  reached  its  former 
strength.  It  has  since  subsisted  on  the  supply  system  un- 
der the  control  of  the  Board,  but  no  one  has  remained 
long.  The  supply  at  present  is  Rev.  C.  S.  Young,  who 
began  his  work  in  Jan.,   1901. 

The  first  church  building  was  built  of  stone  in  Jessa- 
mine Co.,  about  two  miles  from  the  present  location. 
The  present  building  is  in  Woodford  Co.  It  is  a  hand- 
some brick  building  costing  besides  the  lot  and  some 
material  and  work  donated,  about  $2,000.  It  was  built 
during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  W.  O.  Cochran  and  com- 
pleted Sept.  14,  1883. 

In  a  meeting  held  by  Rev.  R.  Y.  Mills  in  1886,  13 
members  were  added  to  the  church. 

The  session  at  present  is  composed  of  J.  R.  Guyn,  T. 
D.  Black,  Geo.  Jewell  and  W.  L.  Guyn,  and  Wm.  Black 
and  Ed.  Haydon,  deacons. 

The  congregation  entertained  Synod  in  its  annual  ses- 
sion in  1844. 

The  active  membership  is  small  at  present,  about  34 
names.  The  church  has  always  paid  its  ministers  in 
full  and  generally  paid  the  Assessments  in  full  to  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions. 

For  several  years,  from  1892,  it  maintained  an  active 
Young  Peoples'  Society. 

At  present  it  has  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  a  Sunday 
School. 

Ehcnezer,  Loitrciis  Co.,  S.  C,  organized  by  Rev.  D.  F. 
Haddon,  Aug.  30,   1850,  consisting  of  5  members. 


472       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


EDGE  MOOR,    S.    C. 

Edgmoor,  S.  C. — The  congregation  of  Edgmoor,  Ches- 
ter Co.,  S.  C,  was  organized  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Moffatt  by 
order  of  the  First  Presbytery,  April  13th,  1889.  It  is 
situated  midway  between  Union  and  Neely's  Creek,  and 
was  made  up  in  part  by  members  of  these  churches.  Its 
first  pastor  was  Rev.  W.  C.  Ewarts,  who  was  ordained 
and  installed  in  July,  1892.  Mr.  Ewarts  continued  pas- 
tor until  the  spring  of  1896.  Rev.  E.  F.  Griffith  was 
installed  in  Dec,  1896,  and  continued  pastor  until  Dec, 
1898. 

Rev.  L.  T.  Pressly  was  installed  Nov.  28th,  1899,  and 
is  pastor  at  the  present  time.  The  first  church  building  was 
destroyed  by  a  cyclone  just  as  it  was  nearing  completion. 
With  the  aid  of  friends  all  over  the  Synod,  the  congre- 
gation erected  the  present  building-  in  1890.  The  field  of 
this  congregation  is  limited,  but  it  is  steadily  growing. 

Eighteen  Mile  Creek,  Ga..  organized  before  1789. 

Eiw,  Gostoii  Co.,  A\  C,  with  New  Ho])c  and  Goshen, 
having  official  existence  before  1790.  formed  a  group  in 
southeast  Gaston  Co.     From  Eno  and  New  Hope  in  N. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       473 

C.  went.  Oct.  28th,  1774,  to  the  Associate  Presbytery  of 
Pa.,  a  petition  "craving  supply."     See  New  Hope. 

Elk  Shoal,  Alexander  Co..  X.  C.  Aug.  22,  1836, 
David  Alexander,  an  elder  in  Stirling,  and  Warren 
Pendergrass  made  a  deed  for  a  burying  ground  on  which 
a  church  could  be  erected  for  all  except  Roman  Catholics. 
A  wall  was  built  around  the  cemetery,  a  church  begun  but 
rotted,  and  another  so  far  completed  as  to  be  used.  Rev. 
W.  R.  Pressly  organized  it  in  1875  with  Leander  Quinton 
and  E.  M.  Alexander  and  Henry  McLain  elders.  This 
being  a  union  church  not  centrally  located,  soon  after 
the  installation  of  Rev.  W.  'SI.  Hunter,  Sept.  20,  1878, 
the  prevailing  opinion  was  to  go  up  to  the  mountain 
and  get  wood  and  build  my  house.  It  was  first  used  at 
a  meeting,  beginning  June  4,  1880.  at  which  part  of 
seven  families  were  received  and  all  the  children  of  two 
families  baptized.  The  name  Elk  Shoal  was  given  in 
1881.  The  house  was  completed  Sept..  1883.  when  the 
First  Presbytery  was  entertained.  Rev.  W.  B.  Pressly 
was  supply  from  '75  to  '78.  Rev.  \\'.  ^I.  Hunter  pas- 
tor Sept.  20.  1878  to  Oct.  2.  1888.  Revs.  \V.  C.  Ewart, 
E.  E.  Pressly,  E.  B.  Anderson  supplied  till  Sept  17,  1893, 
the  latter  became  pastor,  resigning  April  5,  1898.  Rev. 
\V.  Y.  Love  was  installed  Xov.  19.  1901.  Leander,  E. 
M..  Quinton  and  Baxter  Alexander.  J.  W.  Sherril.  C.  L. 
Drum  and  Franklin  Johnson  and  Mrs.  J.  T.  Hedrick 
were  largely  instrumental  in  founding  Elk  Shoals. 

Elk  Valley,  Eincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,  was  organized  by 
Tennessee  and  Alabama  Presbytery  in  1895  by  a  consoli- 
dation of  Xew  Hope  and  Bethel.  It  is  located  on  the 
Fayetteville  road  near  the  Elk  River.  A  church  building 
was  erected  in  1895.  ^^y-  I-  ^^-  Kennedy  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  Xov.  10.  1895.  and  continues  to  labor 
there. 


474 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


Fairz'iew  Church  was  organized  about  1893  as  a  re- 
sult of  work  done  in  a  destitute  section  of  Henry  County, 
Georgia.  Rev.  Bell  preached  at  first  in  a  school  house, 
afterward  under  a  brush  arbor.  A  protracted  meeting 
was  held  in  the  summer  of  1894  and  a  number  of  persons 
made  a  profession  of  faith.  A  Sabbath  School  was  or- 
ganized and  steps  were  taken  to  erect  a  building,  and 
the  congregation  was  enrolled  by  the  Second  Presbytery. 
Rev.  S.  P.  Davis  moderated  a  call  which  was  made  out 
for  Rev.  R.  L.  Bell  and  by  him  accepted,  and  he  was 
installed  Dec.  i8th,  1894.  This  relation  continued  until 
Sept.  1st,  1900,  when  the  pastor  resigned.  In  the  mean 
time  the  church  building  had  been  completed,  and  the 
membership  was  sixty-eight.  In  Dec,  1900,  Rev.  L.  I. 
Echols  began  to  supply  this  church.  They  called  him, 
asking  for  one-fourth  of  his  time,  and  he  was  installed 
Jan.  loth,  1902. 

Flcmiiigsbiirg  Church,  Ky.,  was  probably  organized 
by  the  Second  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  and 
came  into  the  Kentucky  Presbytery  at  its  organization, 
Feb.  nth,  1801.  It  was  ministered  to  by  Rev.  John 
Steele  in  connection  with  Shiloh  and  Hinkston  from 
1800  up  to   18 1 7. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Hugh  Mayne,  from  May 
17th,  1826  to  1838.  Sept.  5,  1845,  it  was  received  into 
the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Kentucky  from  the  A.  R.  Pres- 
bytery of  Chillicothe,  Second  Synod  of  the  West.  It 
was  then  served  by  Rev.  G.  Gordon  in  connection  with 
Olivet,  and  it  also  received  preaching  from  various  min- 
isters serving  A.  R.  P.  churches  in  Central  Kentucky. 
The  work  did  not  prosper,  and  was  abandoned,  Presby- 
tery appointed  a  committee  to  dispose  of  the  property. 

The  last  report  which  was  adopted,  was  submitted 
May  19th,  1888  by  R.  A.  Thompson,  J.  T.  Marshall  and 
James  Boyce.  It  was  in  effect  that  the  property  was 
very  much  depreciated,  and  worth  only  about  $300.00, 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       475 

conditions  in  the  deed  and  heirs  numerous,  and  law  suits 
likely  to  be  expensive.  The  report  was  adopted  and 
Com.  discharged  and  case  dropped. 

French  Broad,  Biiiicoinbe  Co.,  A'.  C,  was  organized  by 
the  Associate  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  before  1819. 
Supplied  by  travelling  Associate  ^Missionaries  and  passed 
from  the  roll  about  1822. 

Forks  of  the  James  was  situated  about  one  and  a  half 
miles  northeast  of  Natural  Bridge,  \"a.  It  was  built  pos- 
sibly during  the  Revolution,  constructed  of  hewn  logs, 
with  12  corners,  a  pulpit  in  one  end,  a  fire  place  in  the 
side  and  the  door  was  of  pine,  paneled,  and  long  preserved 
after  the  church  passed  away.  Henry  Miller  emigrated 
from  Londonderry,  Ireland,  1745,  where  his  ancestors 
had  shown  much  valor  in  the  notable  siege  of  London- 
derrw  The  Montgomeries,  probably  Lackeys  and 
Leeches,  came  also  from  North  Ireland.  Henry  Miller 
was  largely  instrumental  in  building  this  church  on  his 
own  land.  William  Gilmore  and  Samuel  Snodgrass  were 
elders.  Other  worshipers  and  members,  Jas.  White- 
man,  Billy  Ramsey,  John  Crawford,  the  Paxtons,  and 
Irwin.  Rev.  Wm.  Baldridge,  a  North  Carolinian,  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  Aug.,  1793,  as  also  a 
church  across  the  James  River  in  Bottolout  Co.  The 
church  was  prosperous  and  thronged  with  worshippers 
far  and  near  till  a  tide  of  emigration  set  in  about  1800  to 
the  cheap  and  fertile  lands  of  Ohio.  The  pastor  resigned 
Oct.  18.  1803,  but  continued  as  stated  supply  in  connec- 
tion with  Timber  Ridge.  (A.  R.).  till  the  summer  of  1809. 
At  this  date  with  a  large  part  of  his  flock  he  rejoined 
those  who  had  preceded  to  the  rich  Ohio  Valley.  The 
remnant  lived  on  occasional  supplies  and  reappeared  in 
Broad  Creek  1824.  The  old  graveyard  marks  the  spot, 
with  the  Blue  Ridge  a  grand  background.  Henry  Alil- 
ler's  remains  lie  there — born  1726,  died  1798. 


476       SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

Frisco  is  a  few  miles  north  of  Paris,  Texas.  Rev.  E. 
E.  Patterson  opened  a  mission  here  and  in  1891  organized 
a  church  with  nine  members.  W.  J.  Sanderson  and 
Samuel  Pain  w^ere  ordained  elders.  A  house  was  built 
in  1893  at  a  cost  of  $1,140.00.  A  few  days  after  the  house 
was  received  from  the  contractor  a  wind  storm  moved  it 
from  its  foundation  and  otherwise  damaged  it.  Soon 
after  these  damages  were  repaired  it  was  visited  by  a 
second,  and  a  week  later  by  a  third  storm.  These  were 
not  as  severe  as  the  first.  It  was  supplied  by  Rev.  L. 
L  Echols  in  1896  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Simpson  in  1897  one- 
fourth  time.  In  1898  Frisco  became  a  portion  of  Rev. 
T.  W.  Hayes'  charge,  taking  one  fourth  of  his  time.  On 
account  of  frequent  removals  its  growth  has  been  slow. 

Gastonia,  N.  C. — This  church  was  inaugurated  and 
organized  by  Rev.  E.  E.  Boyce.  For  several  years  prior 
to  this  preaching  was  held  in  the  Old  White  Church  in 
West  Gastonia.  In  1886  a  lot  was  bought  for  $145.00 
and  a  house  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.00.  and  this  has 
been  improved  and  beautified  by  the  additional  expendi- 
ture of  $700.00.  The  house  was  dedicated  in  March, 
1887,  by  Rev.  C.  E.  McDonald.  The  congregation  was 
organized  in  1887.  Dr.  Boyce  was  never  formally  in- 
stalled as  pastor.  Messrs.  Thomas  Hanna,  Dixon  Hanna. 
Thomas  Wilson,  Lawson  Jenkins,  J.  H.  B.  Jenkins,  W. 
W.  Boyce,  J.  T.  Bigham  and  G.  M.  Neill  were  the  first 
elders,  and  Thos.  W.  Wilson,  Dr.  W.  H.  Wilson,  Thomas 
Pearson,  Miles  Hanna  and  J.  P.  Reid  were  the  first 
Deacons. 

In  Oct.,  1893,  Dr.  Boyce  felt  constrained  through  the 
infirmities  of  age  to  demit  the  pastorate.  Rev.  J.  C.  Gal- 
loway was  immediately  called  for  one  half  time,  and 
began  work  on  the  4th  Sabbath  of  December,  1893. 
This  arrangement  was  continued  until  January,  1901, 
when  he  was  called  for  the  whole  time,  and  this  arrange- 
ment still  continues. 


SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS.       477 

Since  the  organization  Mr.  M.  H.  Dwyer  has  served 
as  elder  and  F.  AI.  Gallant  as  deacon.  The  present  bench 
of  elders  consists  of  Messrs.  Dixon  Hanna,  A.  F.  White- 
sides.  J.  T.  McDill,  S.  T.  Wilson  and  R.  W.  Carson. 

The  following  are  the  board  of  deacons :  Thomas 
Rearson,  J.  F.  McArver,  J.  P.  Reid,  S.  N.  Boyce  and 
A.  M.  Whitesides.  The  church  is  well  organized  and 
has  all  the  auxiliary  societies. 

Geo.  W.  Hanna,  a  member  of  the  congregation,  is  a 
student  in  the  Seminary. 

The  congregation  has  a  neat  and  tasteful  house  of 
worship  centrally  located  and  a  membership  of  105. 

Gcitcrostcc. — This  church  is  situated  in  Anderson  Co., 
S.  C,  seventeen  miles  south  of  the  city  of  Anderson. 
Like  many  other  churches  it  gets  its  name  from  a  stream 
that  flows  near  by.  As  no  records  seem  to  have  been 
kept  little  is  known  of  its  early  history.  The  first  house 
was  built  of  logs  a  mile  and  ^  half  west  of  the  present 
location.  The  second  also  of  logs — date  of  erection  in 
either  case  vmknown.  The  third — a  large  frame  building 
— was  put  up  in  1828.  The  present  building,  a  small, 
neat  frame  building,  was  erected  in  1897.  Rev.  Robert 
Irwin  was  the  first  pastor.  He  was  installed  some  time 
in  the  year  1800.  His  pastorate  continued  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1823.  Mr.  Irwin  owned  a  good 
farm  of  ])erhaps  250  acres.  As  he  had  no  children  he 
left  this  (on  the  death  of  his  wife)  as  a  home  for  pas- 
tors who  should  succeed  him. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Irwin  the  church  was  vacant 
imtil  1830,  when  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly  was  installed  pastor 
of  this  church  in  connection  with  Due  West,  and  labored 
here  until  1838,  when  he  was  called  to  Due  West  for 
all  his  time.  In  1840  Rev.  J.  C.  Chalmers  settled  over 
this  congregation  and  the  relation  continued  until  1856. 
This  was  the  most  jirosperous  ]>erio(l  in  the  history  of 
this    contrregation.      On    everv    Sabbath    the    house    was 


478      SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

filled  with  devout  worshippers — many  of  them  coming 
on  foot  or  horseback  eight  and  even  ten  miles.  The  spirit 
of  emigration,  however,  entered  the  congregation,  and 
the  removals  were  numerous — some  going  to  Georgia, 
others  to  Mississippi  and  other  places.  In  this  way  the 
ranks  of  this  congregation  were  so  thinned  that  the  pas- 
tor was  discouraged  and  sought  and  secured  a  dissolu- 
tion. 

In  1862  Rev.  W.  L.  Pressly  was  sent  as  a  supply.  In 
1863  he  was  called  and  installed  and  remained  until  1871, 
when  he  was  called  to  Due  West.  In  1873  Rev.  R.  F. 
Bradley  was  settled  as  pastor  and  remained  until  1883. 
Rev.  Calvin  Pressly  was  pastor  from  1884  until  1894. 
The  congregation  was  then  without  a  pastor  until  1897, 
when  Rev.  J.  V.  Black  was  called  and  installed.  Mr. 
Black  was  released  at  the  fall  meeting  of  Presbytery  at 
Troy,  S.  C,  1903.  x\t  this  writing,  Dec,  1903,  the  con- 
gregation is  vacant. 

Two  other  congregations,  viz.,  Grove  and  Iva.  have 
been  organized  out  of  this  one.  This,  together  with  re- 
movals, has  very  much  weakened  it. 

Names  of  some  of  the  families  that  have  passed  away : 
Boyds,  Carlisles,  Gordons,  McDonald,  Leslie,  Robinson, 
Henderson,  Wylie,  Pressly,  Lusk.  McGill,  Buchanan. 

This  congregation  has  furnished  the  following  minis- 
ters to  the  church :  Revs.  John  S.  Pressly,  Laughlin 
McDonald,  James  L.  Young,  John  N.  Young,  L.  L.  D., 
G.  G.  Gordon,  N.  M.  Gordon,  Thomas  Turner,  Wm. 
Turner,  Alex.  Ranson,  D.  D.,  E.  E.  Pressly,  Jr. 

Little  is  now  known  of  Gilder's  Creek,  Laurens  County, 
S.  C.  The  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery  of  the  Caro- 
linas,  and  Georgia  contains  a  few,  and  only  a  few,  facts 
in  regard  to  this  church.  On  March  10,  1812,  Gilder's 
Creek  united  with  W^arrior's  Creek  in  petitioning  for  a 
part  of  Mr.  Renwick's  time,  but  two  years  later.  March 
I,  1814,  Mr.  Renwick  withdrew  from  his  connection  with 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       479 

Gilder's  Creek.  This  vacancy,  together  with  Warren's 
Creek,  was  reported  to  Synod  in  1 816  as  being  in  a  weak 
condition.  There  seems  to  have  been  some  difference 
of  opinion  among  the  members  on  the  question  of  Chris- 
tian communion,  and  this  difference  of  opinion  probably 
led  to  disorganization,  some  of  the  members  going  to 
other  churches  and  other  communions. 

Gilder's  Creek,  Nezvberry,  S.  C. — This  church  is  the 
probable  successor  of  Indian  Creek,  which  was  a  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Xewberry  County,  S.  C.  Rev.  John 
Ren  wick,  Jr.,  was  the  first  and  only  pastor  so  far  as  we 
have  been  able  to  learn.  The  original  site  of  the  church 
was  quite  near  the  stream  after  which  it  was  named  and 
a  mile  and  a  half  from  Indian  Creek.  Rev.  John  Ren- 
wdck,  Jr.,  settled  here  as  pastor  about  the  year  1809,  he 
also  served  Warrior  Creek  (Bethel)  in  Laurens  at  the 
same  time.  He  was  pastor  five  years,  and  for  a  number 
of  years  before  his  death  was  supeannuated.  He  died  in 
1836.  The  church  seems  to  have  gone  into  the  Presby- 
terian Church  sometime  before  the  year  1820,  for  about 
this  date  Rev.  John  Kennedy  of  the  Presbyterian  body 
was  its  pastor.  Just  how  the  church  came  to  leave  the 
Associate  Reformed  Presbytery  we  do  not  know. 

Gilcad,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C. — About  1765  Alexan- 
der Baldridge,  his  wife  and  son  \Vm.,  wdio  afterward 
became  a  distinguished  minister,  came  from  Lancaster 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  settled  mi  Lincoln  Co.,  N.  C,  not  far  fron- 
Cowan's  Ford.  A  petition  from  Catawba  River  in  Meck- 
lenburg Co.,  N.  C,  for  supply  of  sermon  went  up  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  April  13th,  1764.  Doubtless 
they  were  visited  by  Dr.  Thomas  Clark,  Dr.  John  Rod- 
gers,  Revs.  James  Martin,  Andrew  Patton.  before,  and 
Rev.  John  Jamieson  after  the  Revolution  in  the  winter 
of  1783  and  1784.  ]\Iay  16,  1787,  a  call,  which  he  de- 
clined, was  presented  to  Rev.  John  Jamieson  from  Hope- 


48o       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


"1 

k 

•i 

t^^m 

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H: 

f 

iitflliRI 

RHHR^^IH 

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1m 

1 

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5 

^ 

GILEAD,    N.     C. 

well  in  X.  C.  in  connection  with  Coddle  Creek.  This 
was  either  the  present  Hopewell  Presbyterian  Chnrch 
called  Catawba  River,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  or  more 
probably  the  supporters  of  an  inspired  Psalmody  who 
afterwards  formed  Gilead.  Here  in  1787  possibly  marks 
the  organization  of  this  church. 

There  is  an  old  graveyard  one  mile  northwest  of 
Gilead  existing  as  far  back  as  1753.  "Many  worthy 
characters,  soldiers  and  godly  church  members  found 
their  last  resting  place  here."  This  was  used  awhile  as 
a   preaching   place. 

At  that  early  day  forts  or  stockades  were  built  on  van- 
tage ground.  Thither  the  inhabitants  could  flee  when  the 
treacherous  Indian  approached.  The  present  situation  of 
Gilead  was  once  such  a  fort.  In  the  autumn  of  1788 
Rev.  John  Boyse  was  licensed  and  doubtless  began  his 
labors  here  soon  afterward  and  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled pastor  July  i,  I78(;.  After  a  ministry  of  less 
than  five  years  he  died  of  consumption  March  18,  1793. 

The  earliest  deed  was  made  April  19,  1791,  by  Sam 
Blythe  to  Alexander  P)aldridge,  Wm.  Henderson,  David 
Smith,  Hugh  Lucas  and  others  for  two  and  a  half  acres. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      481 

being  a  part  of  tract  patented  to  Wm.  Price  1755.  Rev. 
James  McKnight  reached  here  early  in  1795,  probably, 
and  served  and  being  ordained  Sept.,  1796,  was  next 
year  installed. 

Sept.  28,  1804,  another  deed  of  one  acre  was  made  by 
Wm.  Conner  to  David  Wilson  and  Michael  Baldridge 
for  Gilead  congregation  of  the  Reformed  Synod.  About 
this  time  a  part  of  the  congregation  joined  the  newly 
formed  Associate  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  was 
supplied  by  them.  They  most  probably  used  the  same 
building. 

The  death  of  Rev  Jas.  McKnight  Sept.  17,  1831,  closed 
his  long  and  continuous  pastorate.  Some  three  years 
afterwards  both  parties  united  and  were  fortunate  in  se- 
curing, Aug.  20,  1834,  the  pastoral  services  of  Rev.  John 
G.  Witherspoon  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church.  His  resignation, 
Sept.  23,  1840,  opened  the  way  for  the  pastorate  of  the 
enthusiastic  and  magnetic  John  Hunter,  July  24,  1844  to 
April  14,  1851,  and  Rev.  R.  F.  Taylor  from  Oct.  19,  1851, 
to  April  20,  1857.  A  minister,  wife  and  two  children 
reached  here  in  Oct.,  1857,  "^  ^  two  horse  carriage  via 
Old  Providence,  Va.  This  is  the  great,  good  and  patient 
Dr.  A.  Ranson.  The  installation  is  Dec.  11,  1857,  and 
because  of  infirmity  his  resignation  is  registered  Sept.  3, 
1877.  These  were  followed  by  Rev.  D.  G.  Caldwell  May 
9,  1879  to  April  6,  1885,  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love  full  time  April, 
1885,  to  Oct.  5,  1891.  Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter  stated 
supply  Feb.  15,  1892,  to  May  26,  1893,  pastor  from  thence 
till  Dec.  II,  1898.  Rev.  E.  F.  Griffith,  S.  S.,  from  Jan. 
to  Oct.,  1899.  Rev.  J.  M.  Bigham  was  ordained  May  8, 
1900,  and  became  pastor  Nov.  27,  and  so  remains.  The 
first  building  was  of  logs,  afterwards  weather-boarded 
and  ceiled,  standing  between  the  present  structure  and 
the  road.  In  1882  a  substantial  and  elegant  brick  church 
was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $2,000. 

Dr.  J.  B.  Alexander,  a  Presbyterian,  who  practiced 
medicine  among  them  for  30  years,  says :  "They  were 
31 


482      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

the  best  people  I  ever  knew,"  and  also  adds :  "The  first 
elders  were  Wm.  Henderson,  David  Smith  and  Hugh 
Lucas.  Later  Patrick  Johnson,  Wm.  Beard  and  Gilbreath 
McKnight.  Still  later  Jas.  Blakely,  White  Morrow, 
Ewart  Bell,  John  Bell,  Sr.,  and  John  Price,  Jr."  More 
recently  Green  Barnett,  Benjamin  Brown,  Jesse  N.  Whit- 
low, Dixon  Ewart,  D.  H.  Fidler,  Alex.  Gibson  and  Sam- 
uel Black  were  elders."  Present  session  is  E.  A.  Mc- 
Aulay,  Eli  Alexander,  J.  E.  M.  Beard,  W.  T.  Cashion, 
J.  T.  Cashion,  W.  A.  Alexander  and  M.  B.  Alexander. 
Deacons  are  J.  B.  Alexander,  J.  A.  Goodrum  and  Henry 
Eidler.  A  very  efficient  school  of  three  teachers  and 
100  pupils  in  a  commodious  building  near  by  is  conducted 
by  Prof.  W.  C.  Crosby.  Rev.  J.  A.  Myers  was  reared  in 
this  church. 

Gill's  Creek,  in  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  was  organized  by 
the  Eirst  Presbytery  in  1859.  It  is  thought  that  the  first 
man  who  preached  there  was  the  Rev.  Leroy  Grier,  who 
supplied  the  church  for  awhile.  Rev.  J.  H.  Peoples  also 
preached  there  for  a  time  when  he  was  a  young  man. 
Rev.  D.  P.  Robinson  was  the  first  pastor,  and  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly,  who  was  installed  in  1871, 
and  continued  for  a  number  of  years.  Rev.  R.  Y.  Mills 
succeeded  Mr.  Pressly  in  Nov.,  1888,  and  was  pastor 
until  his  death  in  March,  1889. 

Rev.  H.  B.  Blakely  was  the  next  pastor,  being  installed 
in  1890.  and  continuing  pastor  until  about  1805.  Rev. 
J.  L  Oates  was  installed  in  Nov.,  1897,  and  continued 
until  1900.  Rev.  J.  Meek  White  was  installed  in  .\pril, 
1901,  and  still  continues  pastor  at  this  time.  In  recent 
years  Gill's  Creek  has  been  very  much  depleted  in  mem- 
bership, a  number  of  its  members  having  gone  into  the 
church  at  Lancaster  and  Pleasant  Hill. 

Goshen,  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C,  an  Associate  congregation 
in  the  Revolutionary  period,  a  short  distance  south  of 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       483 

Lincolnton,  associated  with,  and  receiving  the  same  sup- 
pHes  as  New  Hope.  (See  New  Hope.)  Had  an  organi- 
zation before  1790. 

Grove. — This  churcli  is  an  off-shoot  of  Generostee. 
It  was  organized  to  accommodate  some  of  the  members 
of  that  clnirch  who  were  too  far  away  to  attend  conveni- 
ently. It  is  situated  about  four  miles  northwest  of 
Generostee.  Rev.  R.  F.  Bradley,  while  pastor  of  Gene- 
rostee. began  preaching  in  a  grove  near  the  present  site. 
In  a  short  while  a  temporary  building  was  erected.  An 
organization  was  not  effected  until  1879,  during  the  pas- 
torate of  Rev.  Calvin  Pressly.  In  1892  the  present  house 
was  built. 

In  1897  or  '98  Dr.  Orr  held  a  meeting  at  this  church, 
at  which  there  were  numerous  additions  to  the  mem- 
bership. At  present,  however,  the  membership  is  very 
small.     Rev.  A.  L.  Patterson  is  their  present  supply. 

Hanging  Rock,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C. — Hanging  Rock 
in  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  appears  in  the  minutes  of  the 
General  Synod  in  1806  and  1807,  and  nothing  more  can 
be  learned  of  it.  It  was  probably  at  or  near  a  place  of  that 
name  where  a  battle  was  fought  in  the  Revolutionary 
War. 

Hardin,  Tex. — 1  lardin  is  a  sparsely  settled  section  in  the 
pine  region  of  southeast  Texas.  In  this  county  josie  Jones 
and  Capt.  A.  B.  Mitchell  from  Covington  Co.,  Ala.,  lo- 
cated about  the  year  1858  with  their  families.  Rev.  T.  J. 
Bonner  visited  them  a  few  times  and  preached  for  them 
a  short  while.  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  came  to  them 
early  in  1874  and  preached  a  few  months.  Rev.  J.  L. 
Young  s])ent  some  months  with  them  in  1875.  In  the 
summer  of  that  year  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  organized  a 
church  with  T2  or  15  members  in  a  dilapidated  union 
church  building  in   I  lardin.     Josie  Jones  and  .\.  P..  Mit- 


484      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

chell  were  chosen  elders.  This  was  the  first  church  or- 
ganized in  the  State  of  Texas  in  connection  with  the  As- 
sociate Reformed  Synod.  It  was  not  in  the  bounds  of 
any  Presbytery.  The  congregation  never  built  a  house 
of  worship.  Being  remote  from  any  other  A.  R.  P. 
church  the  Hardin  church  never  enjoyed  the  advantages 
of  regular  ordinances  long  at  a  time.  They  received 
some  supplies  every  year  until  1891.  The  members  be- 
gan to  move  away  and  the  work  was  then  abandoned. 

Harmony,  Tex. — Harmony,  in  Freestone  Co.,  was  for 
many  years  one  of  Rev.  T.  J.  Bonner's  places  of  preaching. 
He  and  Rev.  W.L.  Patterson  organized  a  church  here  Oct. 
7,  1876.  It  was  composed  largely  of  the  Bonners,  Robin- 
sons, McCreary  and  others  originally  from  Alabama. 
The  people  of  the  community  had  erected  a  neat  house 
to  be  used  by  dififerent  denominations  on  different  days. 
This  house  is  used  by  the  Harmony  people.  Rev.  T.  J. 
Bonner  supplied  them  one-fourth  time  until  the  fall  of 
1878.  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  till  Dec,  '79,  Rev.  W.  H. 
Millen  half  time  till  Oct.,  '82,  Rev.  David  Pressly  in  '83 
and  '84.  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  returned  to  them  in 
Nov.,  '84,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  Harmony  and 
Richland  in  Sept.,  1885,  each  church  taking  half  of  his 
time.  Harmony  had  37  members  at  that  time.  This  was 
a  self-supporting  charge,  and  the  first  pastoral  settlement 
formed  in  the  Presbytery.  The  church  prospered  and 
this  happy  relation  continued  till  Nov.,  '97,  when  failing 
eyesight  and  other  afflictions  caused  the  pastor  to  resign. 
The  church  had  43  members  at  that  time.  Rev.  J.  R. 
McCormick  took  up  the  work  and  was  installed  pastor 
April  15,  1899.  Harmony  has  lost  many  members  by 
removal  to  railroad  towns. 

Harmony,  Edgefield  Co.,  S.  C,  organized  1840.  Rev. 
W.  W.  Patton  supplied  one-fourth  time  '45  and  Rev.  S. 
P.  Davis  most  Synodical  year  '45-'46.  By  deaths  and 
removals  it  became  extinct  in  1848. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       485 

Head  Springs,  Latircns  Co.,  S.  C— When  this  church 
was  organized  is  not  known.  It  must  have  been  an  or-, 
ganization,  however,  in  1816,  for  we  find  that  Rev. 
Henry  Bryson,  D.  D.,  was  a  member  of  this  church  at 
this  early  date.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  J.  L.  Young, 
installed  in  1836.  He  demitted  his  charge  in  1850,  and 
removed  the  following  year  to  Pontotoc  County,  Miss. 
Rev.  D.  F.  Haddon,  who  had  been  assistant  pastor  to 
Mr.  Young,  became  pastor  in  full  at  this  time,  and  con- 
tinued to  preach  for  Head  Springs,  Providence  and 
Bethel  until  the  close  of  1892,  w^hen  he  was  released 
from  his  pastoral  charge,  after  nearly  half  a  century  of 
service.  Head  Spring  was  then  supplied  by  Rev.  Robt. 
Lathan,  D.  D.,  for  sometime,  and  after  him  by  Rev.  H. 
Rabb,  the  latter  becoming  pastor  of  the  three  Laurens 
churches.  After  Bro.  Rabb's  pastorate.  Rev.  W.  A.  M. 
Plaxco  was  called  and  settled  over  Head  Spring  and 
Providence  in  1900.  Bethel  separated  and  decided  to 
call  a  man  for  his  whole  time. 

The  church  at  Head  Spring  is  not  strong,  but  steps 
are  now  in  progress  looking  to  a  removal  to  the  town 
of  Cross  Hill;  if  these  should  be  consummated,  the 
church  would  likely  grow. 

Head  Spring,  Nezvberry  Co.,  S.  C— This  church,  now 
without  a  congregation  and  with  no  preaching,  was  once 
a  prosperous  organization.  Its  existence  dates  from 
1824,  when  with  King's  Creek.  Cannon  Creek  and  Pros- 
perity, it  constituted  one  pastoral  charge.  The  Rev. 
Wm.  Blackstock  preached  the  first  sermon  in  the  build- 
ing, in  July.  1824,  the  first  Sabbath  after  the  death  of 
Rev.  Charles  Strong,  which  occurred  on  the  20th  of  the 
month.  The  subject  of  ]\Ir.  Blackstock's  lecture  in  the 
morning  was  the  53rd  chapter  of  Isaiah.  In  the  even- 
ing he  preached  from  Romans  8th  chap.,  and  33rd  v., 
"Who  shall  lay  anything  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect?" 

Rev.  Samuel  P.  Prcssly  was  pastor  from  1826  to  1833. 


486      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

From  1835  to  1855,  Rev.  Jonathan  Galloway  was  pas- 
tor. He  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  In  the  year 
1858,  Rev.  J.  C.  Boyd  became  pastor  and  faithfully 
preached  until  1890.  Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips  was  chosen 
pastor  in  1890;  he  resigned  in  1892.  For  a  number  of 
years  the  church  was  vacant.  In  1897,  Rev.  J.  B.  Hood 
became  pastor,  resigning  in  1902.  The  church  is  at  this 
writing  (  1904)  well  nigh  extinct,  there  being  only  one 
or  two  families  living  near.  The  rest  have  moved  away 
or  died.  Rev.  J.  C.  Chalmers  was  reared  in  this  con- 
gregation, having  been  brought  up  under  the  ministry  of 
Rev.  Samuel  P.  Pressly. 

Head  Spring,  Marshall  Co.,  Ten  11. — Was  organized  by 
the  Tennessee  Presbytery,  but  the  date  is  not  given.  Dr. 
Henry  Bryson  first  supplied  the  pulpit.  The  first  pastor 
was  Rev.  S.  S.  Ralston,  wdio  was  ordained  and  installed 
June  7th,  1839.  He  demitted  April  2t„  1843.  It  w^as 
vacant  for  two  years,  wdien  Rev.  Jno.  K.  Boyce  was  in- 
stalled, April  18,  1845.  He  demitted  Sept.  30,  1848.  The 
church  was  again  vacant  for  three  years.  z\t  a  meeting 
of  Presbytery  (Tennessee)  at  Salem,  Tenn.,  May  2, 
1 85 1,  Rev.  T.  W.  Parkinson  accepted  a  call  from  Bethel, 
Zion  and  Head  Spring,  and  Revs.  H.  Bryson  and  A.  S. 
Sloan  were  directed  to  install  him,  and  the  order  was 
complied  with.  This  relation  continued  until  the  death  of 
Mr.  Parkinson,  on  Sept.  6,  1857.  The  next  pastor.  Rev. 
A.  S.  Montgomery,  was  installed  Nov.  6th,  1858.  This 
relation  was  disturbed  by  the  civil  war,  Mr.  Montgom- 
ery removing  North.  No  records  of  Presbytery  from 
1866  to  1879,  and  exact  dates  can  not  be  given ;  but  the 
next  and  fifth  pastor  was  Rev.  C.  S.  Young,  called  and 
settled  about  1872.  He  was  released  from  this  pastorate 
Oct.  19,  1883.  The  congregation  was  vacant  now  for 
several  years,  during  which  it  was  supplied  by  Revs.  J. 
FT.  Peoples,  E.  B.  Anderson,  and  others.  Rev.  W.  B. 
Logan  was  the  next  pastor,  and  was  installed  April,  1893. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       487 

This  pastorate  continued  for  about  one  year  when  Air. 
Logan  withdrew  and  connected  with  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church.  Rev.  J.  M.  White  was  installed  Dec.  ist, 
1895,  and  was  released  in  the  spring  of  1898.  Since  that 
date,  Head  Spring  has  been  a  vacancy,  having  only  oc- 
casional supplies.  Each  of  her  seven  pastors  gave  one- 
half  time  to  this  work.  Two  houses  of  worship  have 
been  erected,  but  dates  are  unknown.  She  has  given  one 
minister  to  the  world,  Rev.  A.  S.  Montgomery.  (Proba- 
blv  Rev.  A.  S.  Ralston  was  born  and  raised  in  this 
church.) 

Hebron,  S.  C. — Hebron  is  situated  in  York  Co.,  S.  C, 
and  was  organized  by  the  First  Presbytery  in  Dec,  1900. 
For  several  years  previous  to  the  organization,  Rev.  J.  S. 
Grier,  pastor  of  Sharon  Church  had  been  preaching  at 
this  point  occasionally  for  the  convenience  of  some  of  his 
members  living  in  that  vicinity,  and  the  result  was  the 
organization  of  the  church  there.  Rev.  J.  S.  Grier  was 
called  as  pastor,  and  was  installed  for  one-fourth  of  his 
time  in  July,  1901,  and  still  continues  as  pastor.  The 
elders  at  Hebron  are :  J.  E.  Gettys,  E.  B.  Carnes,  and  J.  J. 
Gaulden. 

Hebron,  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  (originally  called  Mt.  He- 
bron.)— Is  about  midway  between  Salem  church  and 
Atoka,  on  the  Illinois  Central  R.  R.,  on  the  old  Randolph 
road.  It  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  only  congre- 
gation in  the  Synod  composed  exclusively  of  colored  peo- 
ple. The  Rev.  Peter  Bryson,  the  only  living  colored  min- 
ister of  the  Synod,  organized  the  church  and  has  contin- 
ued as  its  pastor  to  the  present  time.  The  Presbyterial 
order  to  organize  the  congregation  was  given  in  the  fall 
of  1887,  and  Rev.  Bryson  reported  in  May  of  1888  that 
the  order  had  been  obeyed,  but  the  date  is  not  given. 
About  20  members  composed  the  organization,  and  Louis 
Foster   was   one   of  the   elders   chosen.     Thcv   own   the 


488      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

house  and  lot  free  of  debt.  Rev.  Bryson  has  done  faith- 
ful work  among  his  people,  but  there  has  been  but  small 
numerical  growth.  Of  late  it  has  been  very  much  weak- 
ened by  removals.  But  its  mission  in  the  world  has  not 
been  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 


HARMONY,     OKLA. 

Herman. — In  Greer  Co.,  Okla.,  is  the  outcome  of  a 
colony  located  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Stewart  in  1890.  He  began 
]ireaching  in  Pleasant  Point  school  house  that  year,  the 
first  Sabbath  in  May,  and  organized  with  ten  members, 
Dec.  31,  1890.  James  and  Samuel  Turner,  from  Beth- 
any, Miss.,  were  elected  elders.  Rev.  E.  P.  Stewart  supplied 
them  most  of  the  time  for  eleven  years  At  times  there 
was  much  restlessness  and  moving  among  the  people. 
But  the  coming  of  the  railroad  and  building  of  the 
church  brought  a  brighter  day.  Their  first  church  build- 
ing was  dedicated  in  Sept.,  1901.  Revs  W.  W.  Orr  and 
T.  W.  Hayes  conducted  a  meeting  at  the  time  in  which 
22  members  were  added  to  the  church,  and  the  church 
was  named  Herman.  Rev.  E.  P.  Stewart  desiring  to  re- 
tire, the  congregation  petitioned  for  a  man's  whole  time. 
Rev.  J.  R.  Millen  was  sent  in  answer  to  this  request.  He 
began  work  here  in  Jan.,  1902.     In  the  spring  he  opened 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       489 

work  in  Leeer,  a  railroad  town  about  six  miles  from 
the  church.  He  has  secured  a  lot  and  is  planning  to 
build  a  church  there  in  the  near  future.  Herman  re- 
ported 46  members  in  1902.  They  maintain  a  S.  S.  and  a 
L.  B.  Society. 

Head  of  Cataba,  Burke  Co.,  N.  C. — A  small  vacancy 
of  Associate  Church,  organized  before  1819,  and  disap- 
peared in  two  or  three  years. 

Hickory  Spri)ig. — In  March,  1857,  a  colony  settled  in 
Bradley  Co.,  Ark.  Fifteen  of  them  were  members  of 
Neely's  Creek  church  in  S.  C.  They  left  York  Co.,  S. 
C,  in  Dec,  1856,  and  drove  through  the  country  in  their 
wagons.  It  took  three  months  to  make  the  trip.  Rev. 
T.  D.  Davis  came  to  them  in  May,  1858,  and  preached  a 
short  while.  Rev.  J.  M.  Brown  came  to  them  in  1859,  ^^^^ 
organized  the  church  with  15  members  during  the  sum- 
mer. Jonathan  Davis  and  J.  F.  Leslie  were  elected  el- 
ders. A  log  church  was  built  in  i860.  Near  by  was  a 
spring  encased  in  a  section  of  a  hollow  hickory  tree. 
From  this  spring  the  church  received  its  name.  Rev.  J. 
M.  Brown  supplied  the  church  part  of  the  time  for  two 
years.  Rev.  A.  Mayne  supplied  them  in  1862.  For  a  few 
years  they  had  very  little  preaching.  Rev.  D.  Kerr  sup- 
plied them  in  1867.  Then  Rev.  John  Wilson  once  a 
month  for  three  years.  Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  was  their  sup- 
ply in  1870,  and  their  pastor  in  1871.  During  the  next 
few  years  they  had  supplies  from  Revs.  John  \\''ilson,  J. 
S.  A.  Hunter  and  W.  A.  Wilson.  In  the  fall,  1877,  Rev. 
J.  S.  A.  Hunter  returned  to  them,  and  gave  them  half  his 
time.  He  w^as  installed  pastor  Nov.  28,  1879.  They  had 
56  members  at  that  time.  The  same  year  they  erected 
a  commodious  frame  church.  They  had  the  lumber 
sawed  in  the  neighborhood,  and  the  people  did  the  work. 
Mr.  Hunter's  pastorate  terminated  in  Dec,  1887,  when 
he  went  to  Mexico  to  engage  in  Foreign  Mission  work. 


490 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


Rev.  T.  G.  Boyce  began  work  here  in  the  summer  of  '88, 
and  was  installed  pastor  for  half  time,  in  Dec.  of  that 
year.  The  relation  was  dissolved  in  Feb.,  1893,  and  he 
moved  to  Tennessee.  The  church  prospered  during  these 
pastorates.  It  now  numbered  about  80  members,  and 
was  well  organized  for  work.  The  session  was  com- 
posed of  J.  H.  Davis,  I.  D.  McFadden  and  J.  W.  Pierce. 
Rev.  W.  A.  ]\I.  Plaxco  supplied  in  1893.  Rev.  T.  B. 
Stewart  was  pastor  from  1894  to  '99,  one-half  time. 
Rev.  A.  H.  Griffith  was  supply  in  1900.  Rev.  J.  W. 
McCain  was  the  supply  half  time  until  July,  1901,  when 
he  was  installed  pastor.  The  membership  reported  in 
1 90 1  was  117. 

Hickory  Grove,  York  Co.,  S.  C. — For  many  years  pre- 
vious to  the  organization  of  a  church  at  this  place,  there 
had  been  occasional  preaching  by  A.  R.  P.  ministers  at 
Unity,  an  undenominational  chapel,  one  mile  west  of  the 
place  where  the  A.  R.  P.  church  now  stands.  With  the 
building  of  a  new  railroad  through  York  Co.,  a  village 
sprang  up,  which  was  called  Hickory  Grove,  and  with 
the  coming  of  this  railroad  came  the  organization  of  an 

A,  R.  P.  church,  on  Dec.  6th,  1888.  The  church  was 
organized  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway  in  the  home  of  Mr.  J. 
N.  McDill,  with  twenty-nine  members,  all  of  them  having 
been  transferred  from  Sm}-rna.  Within  a  year  from  this 
time  a  large  and  handsome  church  was  built.  The  church 
was  supplied  with  preaching  by  Revs.  J.  H.  Peoples,  J. 

B.  Cochran  and  H.  R.  McAulay.  In  the  fall  of  1891, 
it  united  with  Smyrna  in  a  call  for  the  pastoral  services 
of  Rev.  J.  P.  Knox,  and  he  was  installed  in  Dec,  1891, 
continuing  pastor  until  May,  1899.  I"  March,  1900,  Rev. 
J.  L.  Oates  was  installed  pastor  of  Hickory  Grove  and 
Smyrna  and  still  continues  as  pastor.  At  this  time  it 
has  grown  to  be  a  large  and  flourishing  congregation. 

The  elders  of  this  church  are :  J.  X.  McDill,  Moses 
White,  J.  W.  Castles,  J.  C.  Wylic,  J.  X.  McGill  and  J.  R. 
Mitchell. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       491 

Hinkstoii,  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky. — The  settlement  on  Hink- 
ston  Creek  by  the  Steele,  Shaw,  Marshall,  ]\IcClintock 
and  Thompson  families  dates  back  to  1775.  The  church 
was  organized  by  the  2nd  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  first  settled  pastor  was  Rev.  John  Steele. 
He  was  ordained  by  the  ist  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania, 
August  12,  1799,  and  soon  afterwards  installed  as  pastor 
of  Shiloh,  in  Fleming  Co.,  and  Hinkston,  in  Bourbon  Co. 
Ky.  The  relation  was  dissolved  Sept.  7th,  1803.  He, 
however,  continued  to  supply  Hinkston  until  181 7,  when 
he  accepted  a  call  to  Xenia,  O. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Rainey  then  became  stated  supply,  and 
was  installed  as  pastor  Thursday  before  the  2nd  Sabbath 
of  Dec,  1825.  This  relation  was  dissolved  in  April,  1832. 
Shortly  after  this,  the  church  was  taken  under  the  care 
of  the  Chillicothe  Presbytery — 2nd  Synod  of  the  West. 
It  remained  in  this  connection  until  Sept.  5th,  1845,  when 
it  returned  to  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Kentucky.  Rev. 
James  Hannon  served  as  pastor  from  1832  to  1838.  Rev. 
J.  C.  Steele  of  the  ]\Ionongahela  Presbytery  supplied  the 
pulpit,  1846.  He  was  followed  by  W.  W.  Patton,  J.  O. 
Lindsay,  T.  S.  Lee  and  perhaps  others.  Rev.  T.  S.  Lee 
was  installed  as  pastor  on  ^Monday  after  the  3rd  Sabbath 
of  April,  1852.  This  relation  continued  until  Oct.  13th, 
1870,  when  he.  with  a  part  of  the  congregation,  changed 
his  connection  to  the  Southern  Presbyterian  church.  Rev. 
W.  R.  Hemphill,  D.  D.,  gave  occasional  supplies  for 
two  years.  Rev.  D.  B.  Pressly  began  preaching  here  in 
the  winter  of  1871,  and  was  installed  as  pastor  in  1873. 
Tlie  church  grew  under  his  ministry,  but  by  reason  of 
failing  health,  he  demitted  the  charge  Xov.  18,  1886. 

The  congregation  was  now  vacant  for  six  years,  but 
supplied  with  preaching  by  the  Board  of  Missions. 

Sept.  28th,  1892,  Rev.  W.  H.  ]\lillen  was  installed  pas- 
tor, which  relation  continued  until  June  15th.  1896.  when 
it  was  dissolved  at  his  request.  It  has  been  supplied  since 
that  time  by  the  Board  of  Missions.     The   last   supply 


492  SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

was  Rev.  J.  L.  Pressly,  who  preached  there  from  July, 
1901,  to  Nov.,  1902. 

The  first  house  of  worship  was  in  Millersburg.  The 
one  now  in  use  is  about  four  miles  from  the  old  location, 
and  is  built  of  stone  and  brick.  It  was  repaired  several 
years  ago.  The  congregation  has  always  paid  the  pas- 
tor's salary  and  assessments  to  church  purposes  promptly 
and  in  full.  It  has  suffered  greatly  by  removals  to  the 
North  and  West. 

Among  her  descendants  are  Rev.  Potter  and  Rev.  Wm. 
Lane  and  mother,  missionaries  in  China,  and  the  Gambles 
and  Shaws  in  India,  and  Miss  Mary  Frazier  and  Miss 
Elizabeth  Stewart  Frazier,  who  went  as  missionaries  to 
Egypt. 

The  congregation  maintains  a  Sunday  School  and 
Young  People's  Society. 

The  membership  is  small,  but  composed  of  intelligent 
and  generous  people. 

Hiddenite,  Alexander  Co.,  N.  C. — At  the  earnest  re- 
quest of  John  A.  Miller,  Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter  began,  Oct., 
1878,  preaching  once  a  month  at  Salem,  near  present 
town  of  Hiddenite.  By  order  of  Presbytery,  a  church 
was  organized,  Dec,  1883.  Junius  Morrison  and  J.  M. 
Matheson.  elder.  John  A.  Miller,  a  leading  spirit,  had 
died  Nov.  28,  1882.  When  the  depot  was  located  a  lot 
was  bought  at  $25.00,  another  half  acre  in  the  rear  being 
donated  by  the  first  supply,  and  a  house  was  erected  and 
first  used  Aug.  22,  1891. 

Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter  was  supply,  '78-'88.  Rev.  E.  B. 
Anderson  was  S.  S.  for  a  while,  and  through  his  instru- 
mentality, in  July,  1892,  Dr.  W.  W.  Orr  held  a  meeting 
of  great  interest  and  largely  attended,  resulting  in  some 
27  conversions.  It  has  been  supplied  at  irregular  inter- 
vals. Bro  Love  now  supplies  this  mission  without  offi- 
cers. Much  credit  is  due  J.  M.  Matheson,  of  Taylors- 
ville,  N.  C,  for  long  and  self  denying  service. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      493 

Hopezccll,  Maury  Co.,  Tom. — Is  located  about  seven 
miles  south  of  Columbia.  In  the  fall  of  1820,  by  author- 
ity of  I  St  Presbytery,  by  Dr.  Isaac  Grier,  the  congre- 
gation was  organized,  with  Samuel  Scott,  M.  Baldridge, 
James  Leech  and  Robt.  Mathews  as  Ruling  Elders,  and 
a  membership  of  about  35.  It  was  first  supplied  by  Rev. 
Samuel  Brown,  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  West.  The 
first  pastor,  Rev.  R.  M.  Galloway,  was  installed  in  1824, 
by  Dr.  Isaac  Grier  and  Rev.  Mr.  Blackstocks.  On  the 
9th  of  October,  1840,  Mr.  Galloway  died  and  the  church 
was  vacant  for  four  years.  "The  next  pastor  was  settled 
in  1844.  He  resigned  in  1848."  This  was  the  pastorate 
of  Rev.  J.  K.  Boyce.  The  congregation  was  again  va- 
cant for  six  years.  Rev.  J.  H.  Bryson  was  installed  on 
the  29th  of  Dec,  1854.  This  relation  was  dissolved  in 
April,  1866.  Rev  J.  H.  Peoples  was  the  fourth  pastor 
and  was  installed  in  the  spring  of  1867  and  released  in 
the  fall  of  1889,  having  served  the  congregation  for  22 
years.  Rev.  W.  B.  Logan  was  installed  April,  1893,  but 
withdrew  from  this  field  in  1894.  On  Nov.  30,  1895, 
Rev.  J.  ]\I.  White,  the  sixth  pastor,  was  installed  pastor 
and  continued  until  Sept.  23,  1899,  when  he  was  re- 
leased. Since  then  it  has  had  occasional  supplies,  mainly 
by  their  former  pastor,  Rev.  J-  H.  Peoples,  from  his 
home  in  Columbia.  The  first  two  pastors  gave  one-half 
time  to  this  field,  the  second  two,  whole  time,  and  the 
last  two,  one-half  time. 

The  present  house  of  worship  is  the  third  building, 
though  the  dates  of  their  erection  are  not  known. 

Hopeivell,  Union  {formerly  Pontotoc)  Co.,  Miss. — Is 
located  six  miles  southeast  of  New  Albany  and  two 
miles  north  of  Wallersville,  Miss.,  on  the  Frisco  Railroad. 

The  first  settlers  were  from  Shiloh  church,  in  Ander- 
son Co.,  S.  C,  and  the  name  of  Caldwell  predominated. 
The  first  preaching  there  was  by  Rev.  H.  H.  Robison, 
licentiate  laboring  under  the  direction  of  Synod,  at  the 


494      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

house  of  William  Caldwell,  ■March  12,  1851.  A  few 
weeks  later  he  also  preached  near  Tardyville,  at  a  place 
called  "The  Shelter." 

The  Alabama  Presbytery,  complying  with  request  of 
the  people,  sent  Rev.  David  Pressly  to  organize  the  con- 
gregation, which  was  done  May  24th,  1851,  in  a  school 
house  (near  Mr.  James  Stephenson's),  near  where  the 
church  now^  stands.  John  Caldwell,  Obadiah  Buchanan 
and  Hugh  Caldwell  were  elected  Elders,  the  former  hav- 
ing served  in  S.  C.  Rev.  H.  H.  Robison  supplied  the 
congregation  in  185 1.  In  1852  probably,  an  arbor  and 
stand  were  erected  near  a  fine  spring  on  the  premises 
of  William  Reid,  Sr.,  and  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Young. 

A  church  was  built  and  first  used  in  1853.  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Huston,  a  friend  of  the  congregation,  though  not  a 
church  member,  gave  a  lot  of  three  acres  on  which  to 
build,  the  timber  as  it  stood  on  his  land,  and  sawed  the 
same  into  lumber  free  of  charge  when  delivered  at  his 
mill. 

Rev.  J.  L.  Young  was  installed  over  Hopewell  and 
Bethany,  April  15,  1854.  This  relation  continued  until 
1856,  when  he  demitted  this  branch  of  his  charge  in  or- 
der to  devote  his  whole  time  to  Bethany.  "This  was  a 
sore  blow  to  Hopewell,  and  gave  it  quite  a  back  set." 

Revs.  H.  H.  Robison  and  J.  L.  McDaniel  supplied  it 
in  1857.  Rev.  S.  A.  Agnew  began  supplying  it  in  1858, 
and  continued  until  he  was  installed  July  23,  1870.  This 
pastoral  relation  was  demitted  April  21,  1890-  This  long- 
pastorate  was  fruitful  of  much  good  and  the  pastor  en- 
joyed the  warm  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  church. 

Rev.  R.  S.  Harris  supplied  the  congregation  during 
1899,  and  was  installed  pastor  "Slay  14th,  1900,  giving 
one-lialf  time  to  the  work. 

Hopci'^'cU  Church,  Xcwfon  Co.,  Co. — Was  organized 
July  25th,  1830,  by  Rev.  J.  T.  and  E.  E.  Pressly.  For 
several  years  they  had  worshipped  God  and  had  an  oc- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       495 

casional  sermon.  Tliey  held  society  meetings.  This 
church  was  made  up  largely  of  people  who  had  removed 
from  Hopewell,  S.  C.  For  eight  years  after  their  or- 
ganization, they  received  supplies,  and  April  23rd,  1838, 
Rev.  Thomas  Turner  was  installed  pastor.  He  held  this 
office  until  1855.  Sept.  26th,  1856,  Rev.  Henry  Quigg 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor.  This  relation  was 
dissolved  Nov.  i/th,  1866.  Until  1869.  the  church  was 
supplied  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Hemphill  and  others.  Rev.  J.  E. 
Martin  began  to  preach  for  them  in  March,  1871,  and 
was  installed  Sept.  7th.  1872.  He  was  their  pastor  until 
Sept.  1st,  1890.  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health. 
Rev.  H.  R.  McAulay  preached  for  them  for  two  years. 
Rev.  R.  L.  Bell  was  installed  pastor  Dec.  8th,  1893  and 
resigned  in  IMarch,  1900.  The  church  was  then  vacant 
until  Jan.  nth.  1902,  when  Rev.  L.  L  Echols  was  in- 
stalled as  pastor,  which  relation  still  exists.  During  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  R.  L.  Bell,  the  church  of  Fairview 
was  organized  and  has  become  a  part  of  the  pastoral 
charge.  Three  ministers  of  the  gospel  have  gone  out 
from  Hopewell,  Rev.  G.  W.  McClelland,  Rev.  J.  T. 
McClelland,  who  entered  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  Rev.  Jack  Cowan,  of  the  Methodist  Church. 
The  first  building  was  erected  in  1830.  Another  later  on, 
and  this  building  was  enlarged  and  improved  while  Rev. 
R.  L.  Bell  was  pastor. 

HopCK'cU,  S.  C. — The  statements  which  follow  con- 
cerning the  church  arc  mostly  gleaned  from  Lathan's 
"History  of  Hopewell  and  its  Pastors." 

Hopewell  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  Associated  Re- 
formed Churches  of  the  South.  Like  most  of  the 
churches  founded  in  the  early  history  of  the  country, 
very  little  written  history  of  this  church  has  been  pre- 
served, and  the  historian  has  to  rely  largely  on  tradition 
for  his  facts. 

The  congregation  was  organized  in  the  year  1787  or 


496      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

1/88.  The  exact  date  is  uncertain;  but  Dr.  Lathan  thinks 
that  it  was  organized  in  1787  by  Rev.  Matthew  Lind. 

In  1788,  Rev.  John  Boyse  was  sent  South  by  the  A.  R. 
Presbytery  of  Pa.,  and  labored  first  as  stated  supply,  and 
afterwards  as  pastor  of  Hopewell,  Gilead,  Coddle  Creek 
and  Prosperity,  the  last  three  in  N.  C.  Mr.  Boyse's  pas- 
torate was  a  short  one,  he  having  died  March  i8th,  1793. 
In  February  or  March,  1795,  Hopewell,  Union  and  New 
Hope  congregations  united  in  extending  a  call  to  Rev. 
John  Hemphill,  who  had  been  sent  to  preach  among 
these  churches  by  the  First  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  pastoral  labors  of  Mr.  Hemphill  began  in  the  fall  of 

1795,  but  he  was  not  installed  until  the   19th  of  Sept., 

1796.  The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Hemphill  continued  until 
his  death,  which  took  place  May  30th,  1830,  thus  covering 
a  period  of  nearly  thirty-six  years.  From  the  death  of  Mr. 
Hemphill  until  Nov.,  1832,  the  congregation  was  vacant. 
At  this  time  Rev.  Warren  Flenniken  was  installed  over 
Hopewell  and  Union.  The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Flenniken 
extended  over  a  period  of  seventeen  years,  ending  in  1849, 
owing  to  the  feeble  health  of  Mr.  Flenniken. 

On  May  31st,  1850,  Rev.  R.  W.  Brice  was  ordained 
and  installed  as  the  fourth  pastor  of  Hopewell.  This  pas- 
torate closed  with  the  death  of  Mr.  Brice,  on  the  14th  of 
March,  1878.  All  the  ministers  spent  their  entire  min- 
isterial lives  as  pastors  of  Hopewell,  and  their  remains 
lie  buried  in  the  graveyard  hard  by  the  church  they  loved 
and  served  so  faithfully.  On  May  23rd,  1879,  Rev.  John 
A.  White  was  ordained  and  installed  as  the  fifth  pastor 
of  Hopewell,  and  at  this  writing  the  relationship  still  ex- 
ists, and  unless  the  current  of  Hopewell's  history  shall 
be  changed,  will  continue  until  God  shall  dissolve  it  by 
the  physical  disability  or  death  of  the  pastor. 

During  the  one  hundred  and  fifteen  years  of  Hope- 
well's existence,  three  church  buildings  have  been  erected. 
At  first  the  congregation  met  for  worship  in  the  woods, 
but  in  1789  the  first  house  of  worship  was  built.    It  was 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


497 


a  log  house,  and  stood  about  one  hundred  yards  north- 
west of  the  present  house.  This  log  church  answered  the 
purpose  until  the  year  1800,  when  a  brick  building  was 
erected.  It  was  probably  considered  a  handsome  church 
in  that  day.  It  was  forty  by  fifty  feet  in  size,  had  a  high 
pulpit  with  a  sounding  board  over  the  preacher's  head. 
This  brick  church  stood  until  1854,  when  it  was  replaced 
by  the  present  large  and  commodious  house  of  worship. 
The  present  building  is  fifty  feet  by  seventy  feet  in  size, 
and  stands  on  the  east  side  of  the  graveyard.  It  was 
none  too  large  for  the  congregation  when  built,  but  a 
much  smaller  house  would  accommodate  the  congrega- 
tion at  the  present  time.  Hopewell  is  a  fruitful  mother  of 
preachers.  The  following  ministers  were  born  and  partly 
reared  in  Hopewell  congregation  :  Joseph  Lowry,  D.  D., 
James  Lowry,  David  McGill,  D.  D.,  Robert  Galloway, 
Jonathan  Galloway,  Wm.  R.  Hemphill,  D.  D.,  John  Wil- 
son, David  McCaw,  James  McDaniel,  James  H.  Strong, 
James  C.  Boyd,  Robert  Lathan,  D.  D.,  Hugh  Strong, 
Christopher  Strong,  R.  Warren  Boyd,  Wm.  S.  Moffatt, 
J.  Spencer  Mills,  H.  M.  Henry,  D.  D.,  John  A.  White, 
Robert  Y.  Mills,  W.  S  Castles,  John  Mills  Bigham. 

Huntersville,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C. — For  the  benefit 
of  those  midway  between  Prosperity  and  Gilead,  Dr. 
Ranson,  not  long  after  his  installation,  began  preaching 
at  Craighead  stand,  near  David  McCraven's,  half  a  mile 
northwest  of  present  site.  First  services  were  held  Sat- 
urday afternoon,  then  on  fifth  Sabbaths,  then  on  the  af- 
ternoon of  Gilead's  day.  This  was  continued  till  about 
1872,  when  the  stand  was  removed  to  the  present  site. 
Several  meetings  were  held.  A  church  or  an  academy  to 
be  used  for  worship,  was  the  question.  The  former  was 
wisely  decided  upon.  There  was  pledged,  Aug.,  1873, 
the  day  the  books  were  opened,  $500.  R.  B.  Hunter  do- 
nated the  beautiful  plot  of  land  about  five  acres  and  $100. 
Other  liberal  members  that  day  were  Milton  Osborne  and 
32 


498 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


HUNTERSVILLE,    N.    C. 


Richard  Beard.  A  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$1,700,  in  1874,  and  a  church  of  40  members  organized 
March  25th,  1875.  R.  B.  and  A.  Jones  Hunter  and 
Dixon  Ewart,  of  Prosperity,  and  Richard  Beard  and  R. 
R.  Steele,  Sr.,  of  Gilead  constituted  the  session.  S.  W. 
Knox  and  I.  D.  Irvin  of  latter  church  were  added.  Dr. 
Ranson  continued  stated  supply  till  Sept.  3,  1877.  Rev. 
W.  W.  Orr's  pastorate,  beginning  officially  Oct.  i8th, 
1878,  was  greatly  blessed  in  increasing  numbers  and  en- 
larged liberality.  At  least  two  precious  seasons  of  grace 
were  enjoyed,  one  under  Dr.  J.  E.  Pressly,  1883,  and  the 
other  under  Dr.  R.  G.  Miller's  preaching.  Aug.,  1893. 
R.  ]\r.  Ranson,  J.  P.  Knox,  J.  J-  Ranson,  J.  C.  Ranson 
and  R.  R.  Steele,  Jr.,  were  ruling  elders. 

Rev.  Orr  began  teaching  in  1879,  and  organized  the 
Huntersville  High  School.  This  academy  did  a  good 
work  for  general  education,  but  especially  for  the  pulpit. 
Revs.  J.  P.  Knox,  W.  C.  Ewart.  A.  J.  Ranson,  E.  A. 
Ranson  and  J.  B.  Cochrane  were  sons  of  this  church. 
They  were  not  only  zealous  in  education  but  importunate 
in  prayer,  organizing  the  first  Y.  M.  Home  Missionary 


SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS.  499 

Society  in  the  Presbytery,  and  maintained  it  for  years, 
not  only  as  a  means  of  grace,  but  in  liberally  support- 
ing the  Evangelistic  movement,  'SS-'gS.  They  were  one 
of  the  rare  congregations  which  increased  their  first 
pastor's  salary,  $400,  $600,  $800.  Their  pastor.  Rev. 
Orr,  was  often  absent  from  '89  to  '96  in  revival  work, 
yet  the  efficient  elders  and  active  members  had  the  pulpit 
supplied  and  sustained  the  interest  and  work  with  marked 
success.  Rev.  W.  \V.  Orr,  D.  D.,  demitted  Feb.  19,  1896. 
Rev.  Jas  Boyce's  pastorate,  Jan  29th,  1897,  to  April  4th, 
1899,  though  faithful  and  able,  was  discouraging  by  a 
tide  of  removal  that  had  set  in.  Rev.  J.  W.  Bigham  was 
installed  pastor  Nov.  27,  1900,  and  still  remains.  About 
this  time  the  congregation  determined  to  build  a  new 
church.  Though  greatly  weakened,  they  erected  a  beau- 
tiful brick  building  which,  with  the  handsome  furnishing, 
cost  $3,460.71,  and  was  dedicated  free  of  debt,  Jan.  24th, 
1903.  It  stands  in  the  same  oak  grove,  beautiful  for  sit- 
uation, an  evidence  of  the  faith  of  and  a  credit  to  its 
promoters. 

Present  ruling  elders :  J.  C.  Beard,  J.  T.  Beard,  W.  E. 
Alexander,  W.  W.  Ranson,  E.  A.  Love,  J.  T.  Mayberry, 
J.  G.  Bell.  Deacons:  B.  D.  Brown,  W  A.  Steele,  J.  L. 
Ramsey,  J.  i\I.  Knox,  \V.  J.  Ranson,  J.  C.  ]\IcAulay  and 
J.  J.  McRaven. 

Iva,  S.  C. — This  congregation  is  an  offshoot  of  Gener- 
ostee.  After  the  building  of  the  Savannah  Valley  Rail- 
road, a  town  sprang  up  at  Iva  Station.  In  the  Spring 
of  1894,  Rev.  A.  L.  Patterson  began  preaching  at  this 
place.  On  the  8th  of  Nov.,  1895,  by  the  order  of  the  2nd 
Presbytery,  a  commission  consisting  of  Revs.  W.  L. 
Pressly,  D.  I).,  and  A.  L.  Patterson,  and  elder  James 
Stevenson,  organized  a  church  at  Iva.  Messrs.  J.  G. 
McDonald  and  J.  W.  Stevenson  were  transferred  from 
Gencrostee  and  elected  elders.  Mr.  T.  A.  Watt  was  the 
first  deacon.     At  a  later  date  Messrs.  W.  P.  Gook,  S.  W. 


500      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Watt,  Robt.  Stevenson  and  G.  S.  Burdett  were  added  to 
the  eldership.  Mr.  James  McDonald  and  Mr.  A.  S. 
Townsend  were  added  to  the  board  of  deacons. 

Rev.  A.  L.  Patterson  has  been  stated  supply  ever  smce 
the  organization  and  at  this  date  still  continues  in  this 
capacity. 

Jacksonville,  Ark. — The  church  at  this  place  is  the  out- 
come of  a  mission  opened  by  Rev.  G.  G.  Parkinson,  in 
July,  1896,  in  connection  with  his  work  in  Little  Rock. 
It  was  organized  Sept.  18,  1896,  by  Rev.  T.  B.  Stewart, 
S.  M.  of  the  Arkansas  Presbytery  with  18  members.  J. 
N.  Ross  and  J.  M.  McNair  were  ordained  elders.  This 
church  was  not  organized  among  people  who  were  reared 
or  trained  under  Associate  Reformed  influence.  A  nice 
church  was  erected  the  following  j^ear,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$900.  Rev.  G.  G.  Parkinson  continued  to  supply  them 
half  time  till  Nov.,  1900.  At  that  time  they  reported  28 
members.  Rev.  A.  H.  Griffith  supplied  them  half  time  un- 
til Jan,  1903.  The  membership  has  grown  to  50.  Rev. 
E.  B.  Anderson  supplied  them  in  1903. 

J  op  pa,  Lincoln  Co.,  Ga. — Organized  before  1790. 

King's  Creek  and  Cannon's  Creek,  Nctvhcrry,  S.  C. — 
From  the  years  1763  to  1775  the  elements  of  Cannon's 
Creek  and  King's  Creek  churches,  from  which  grew 
Prosperity  and  Head  Spring,  came  from  County  Antrim, 
Ireland,  and  settled  in  the  fertile  region  between  Enoree 
and  the  Dutch  Fork,  centering  near  the  creeks,  from 
which  the(  churches  took  their  names.  In  the  year 
1767,  a  portion  of  Rev.  John  Ren  wick's  congregation 
came  from  Ireland  and  settled  in  Newberry  County. 
In  1770,  a  larger  portion  came  over  and  settled  near 
the  others,  and  in  1772  there  came  a  third  colony. 
The  first  preacher  and  pastor  was  the  Rev.  John 
Renwick,  Sr.  The  Lord's  Supper  was  first  admin- 
istered    to    these     Christians     in     Patrick     Carmichael's 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       501 

barn,  near  what  is  now  known  as  Boyd's  Crossing,  be- 
tween Xewberry  and  Prosperity.  The  churches  of  Can- 
non's Creek  and  King's  Creek  were  founded  at  the  same 
time,  in  1772.  Rev.  John  Renwick  was  the  pastor.  He 
died  in  1775.  There  was  httle  preaching  then  until  the 
year  1790,  when  Rev.  James  Rogers  came  to  this  country 
from  Ireland,  and  took  up  the  work.  Mr.  Rogers  became 
pastor  of  King's  Creek  and  Cannon's  Creek,  23rd  Feb- 
ruary, 1 791,  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  twenty-four 
or  twenty-five  years.  Rev.  Charles  Strong  was  installed 
pastor  of  King's  Creek,  Cannon's  Creek  and  Prosperity 
in  1816.     He  was  pastor  for  eight  years. 

In  ]\Iarch,  1826,  Rev.  Samuel  P.  Pressly  was  installed 
over  Head  Spring,  King's  Creek,  Cannon's  Creek  and 
Prosperity.  This  pastorate  lasted  until  1833,  when  he 
was  chosen  professor  in  Franklin  College,  Athens,  Ga. 
In  the  year  1835,  Rev.  Jonathan  Galloway  w^as  chosen 
pastor  and  installed  in  1836,  and  faithfully  he  labored  in 
this  larger  field  for  20  years.  He  resigned  on  account  of 
ill  health.  In  the  year  1848,  this  extensive  field  was  di- 
vided. King's  Creek  and  Cannon's  Creek  going  together 
were  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  O.  Lindsay  for  a  year,  though 
Mr.  Galloway  continued  to  labor  at  Cannon's  Creek, 
Prosperity  and  Head  Spring  until  October,  1855. 

In  1853,  King's  Creek  church  was  united  with  Xew- 
berry, and  Rev.  H.  L.  Murphy  became  pastor.  On  No- 
vember 1st.  1858,  Rev.  J.  C.  Boyd  was  installed  pastor 
of  Cannon's  Creek.  Prosperity  and  Head  Spring. and  con- 
tinued in  this  relation  until  1884,  when  he  demitted  the 
Cannon's  Creek  church,  but  continued  to  serve  the  other 
two  churches  until  1890.  In  September,  1884,  Rev.  W. 
W.  AIcMorries  became  pastor  of  King's  Creek  and  Can- 
non's Creek,  the  former  church  separating  from  New- 
berry, and  continued  in  this  relation  until  1895.  Can- 
non's Creek  then  iDccame  a  separate  charge,  adhering 
to  Mr.  McMorries,  and  King's  Creek,  in  1898, 
called    Rev.     T.    B.    Hood.      Brother    Hood    continued 


502 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


here  until  1902,  preaching:  also  at  Head  Spring.  In 
1902,  Rev.  C.  M.  Boyd  was  chosen  pastor  of  King's 
Creek,  and  installed  in  ]\Iay,  1903.  This  old  church 
has  now  taken  on  new  life.  The  membership  has 
recently  increased  20  per  cent,  and  the  attendance  is 
good.  With  the  new  church  of  Unity  and  with  Prosper- 
ity and  King's  Creek,  Bro.  Boyd  has  a  large  and  growing 
field. 

Lamar. — In  Lamar  Co.,  Texas,  was  organized  in  1880. 
Thomas  and  W.  B.  Ware,  formerly  of  Starkville,  Miss., 
were  elected  elders.  They  never  built  a  house,  and  the 
organization  was  disbanded  in  1886. 

Lancaster,  S.  C. — The  church  at  Lancaster,  S.  C,  was 
organized  by  a  commission  of  the  First  Presbytery  in  the 
year  1884.  The  commission  consisted  of  Rev.  ^Nlason  W. 
Pressly  and  elders  \\'.  O.  Caskey  and  X.  T.  Draffin.  A 
neat  brick  building  was  begun  in  1885,  and  completed  in 
1886.  The  first  pastor  of  the  church  was  Rev.  R.  Y. 
Mills,  who  was  installed  in  Nov.,  1888.  Mr.  Mills  had 
charge  of  Lancaster  in  connection  with  Gill's  Creek, 
preachino-  half  the  time  at  each  place.  The  death  of  iNIr. 
Mills  in  March  4th,  1889  left  the  congregation  vacant. 
The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  H.  B.  Blakely,  who  was  in- 
stalled in  1890,  and  continued  pastor  until  the  fall  of  1894, 
when  he  was  called  to  take  charge  of  the  mission  in  At- 
lanta, Ga. 

The  third  pastor  was  Rev.  W.  C.  Ewart,  who  was  in- 
stalled in  the  fall  of  1896,  and  who  still  continues  pastor 
of  Lancaster  and  Shiloh. 

Laurens,  C.  H. — When  this  church  was  organized  we 
do  not  know,  l)Ut  it  must  have  been  al)out  1830.  Dr.  Sam- 
uel Todd  erected  the  building.  Rev.  J.  S.  Young  was  the 
first  pastor.  He  was  installed  over  the  united  charge  of 
Bethel,  Laurens,  Providence  and  Head  Springs  in   1836. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       503 

In  185 1  Rev.  J  S.  Young  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  D.  F. 
Haddon,  who  had  ben  assistant  pastor  for  several  years. 
The  church  decHned  in  Laurens  and  after  the  War  the 
building  was  sold  and  the  work  discontinued. 

Laurel  Springs,  Ashe  Co.,  A'.  C. — A  colony,  mostly  of 
Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  in  hope  of  renewed  health  re- 
moved about  1855  to  Ashe,  now  Allegheny  Co.  Capt. 
Matthew  Peoples,  Henry  F.  Hunter  and  Mark  Wilson 
and  others  constituted  the  party.  Rev.  John  Hunter  be- 
cause of  failing  health,  sought  this  mountain  retreat, 
preached  to  and  organized  in  1855  a  little  church.  He 
continued  to  supply  this  point  till  1858,  and  although  it 
seemed  a  failure  by  the  return  of  the  entire  colony  yet 
Mr.  Hunter  said  it  gave  him  a  new  lease  of  life. 

Lebanon,  Wilson  Co.,  Ala.,  appears  on  the  roll  of  the 
Alabama  Presbytery  in  1843.  It  is  probably  the  original 
name  of  the  Oak  Hill,  or  Bethel,  church.  Rev.  W.  J. 
Lowry  was  ordained  and  installed  over  it  in  1861.  Noth- 
ing more  is  known  of  it. 

Lebanon,  at  Maysfield  in  Milam  County,  Texas,  was 
organized  by  Revs.  T.  J.  Bonner  and  W.  L.  Patter- 
son July  7,  'yy,  with  eleven  members.  W.  "Si.  Wood- 
son, M.  D.,  and  J.  R.  ]\IcLane  were  ordained 
qlders.  Rev.  J.  M.  Little  became  their  stated  sup- 
ply. The  location  proved  to  be  unhealthy.  Mr. 
Little  lost  several  nieml)crs  of  his  family,  and  moved 
away.  Others  moved  away  also  and  the  church  was  dis- 
banded in  about  ten  years. 

Little  River,  commonly  called  Sterling's  Meeting 
House,  was  an  Associate  Church  in  Fairfield  Co.,  S.  C, 
about  twelve  miles  north  of  Winnsboro.  It  originated 
from  an  cfifort  to  displace  the  Psalms  in  Concord  Pres- 
bvterian  Church.     Tradition  says  that  on   one  occasion 


504 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


when  the  sacrament  was  being  observed,  the  minister 
said  that  all  who  favored  Psalms  would  take  their  seats 
at  one  table,  while  all  who  favored  hymns  would  take 
their  seats  at  another  table.  Whereupon  John  Sterling 
one  of  the  elders,  rose  up  and  said,  "I  had  thought  that 
this  was  the  house  of  the  Lord,  but  you  have  made  it  a 
house  of  confusion;"  and  taking  his  hat  he  walked  out 
of  the  church,  and  many  others  followed  him.  The  re- 
sult was  the  organization  of  Little  River,  or  Sterling's 
Meeting  House.  It  is  proper  to  state,  however,  that  the 
hymns  were  not  introduced  into  Concord  Church  until 
about  twenty  years  ago.  Little  River  appears  on  the 
roll  of  the  Associate  Presbytery  as  early  as  1819. 

The  church  building  was  erected  in  1824,  and  Rev. 
James  Lyle  was  pastor  of  Little  River,  Smyrna  and 
Winnsboro  from  May  4th,  1825  until  1834,  when  he 
demitted  his  charge.  It  was  supplied  by  the  Associate 
Presbytery  after  this.  Rev.  Archibald  Whyte  preached 
there  as  late  as  1840,  at  which  time  there  were  eight  fa- 
milies and  sixteen  members.  Rev.  Thos.  Ketchin  preached 
there  also  after  this  time.  It  is  probable  that  soon  after 
this  time  it  ceased  to  exist.  The  old  graveyard  is  the 
only  thing  now  that  marks  the  place  of  this  church. 

Little  River  and  Rocky  Springs,  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C, 
were  small  scattered  congregations  that  never  became  a 
regular  charge.  They  subsisted  on  the  meager  allowance 
of  supplies  sent  them  by  Presbytery  from  time  to  time. 

In  1803,  in  response  to  a  petition  for  supply.  Rev. 
Irwin  was  sent  for  the  last  Sabbath  in  March.  In  the 
fall  of  the  same  year  Rocky  Springs  asked  for  one-third 
of  Mr.  Irwin's  time,  while  Little  River  petitioned 
for  one-fourth  of  his  time  for  one  year.  Theste 
petitions  were  not  granted,  but  Rev.  Porter  was 
sent  as  supply.  For  many  years  after  this  all  that  is 
known  of  the  history  of  these  organizations  is  in  the 
record  of  the  petitions  sent  up  to  nearly  every  meeting 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       505 

of  Presbytery  for  supplies.  Revs.  Porter,  Grier,  M'Gill, 
Irwin,  and  Renwick  labored  among  these  congregations 
at  different  times  as  supplies.  After  a  struggling  exis- 
tence of  many  years  their  names  were  dropped  from  the 
roll  of  Presbytery. 

Little  River  and  Rocky  Springs,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C. 
were  among  the  very  early  organizations  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia.  In  1801  theunited  con- 
gregations petitioned  of  Presbytery  a  Probationer  as  con- 
stant supply.  At  the  fall  meeting  of  Presbytery  a  call 
was  made  out  to  Rev.  M'Gill.  The  call  was  sustained  as 
regular  by  Presbytery  and  accepted  by  Mr.  M'Gill  at 
the  next  meeting  of  Presbytery.  In  1802  his  trial  for 
ordination  having  been  sustained,  he  was  ordained  at 
Little  River  on  the  second  Thursday  in  May.  The  pas- 
torate, however,  seems  to  have  been  but  of  short  dura- 
tion, for  a  year  or  so  later  begins  a  petition  for  supplies 
from  these  two  congregations.  At  different  times  Revs. 
Irwin,  Grier  and  Porter  were  sent  by  Presbytery  in  an- 
swer to  the  petitions  for  supplies.  These  churches  are 
not  now  in  existence.  Like  many  other  small,  scattered 
congregations  in  the  early  history  of  the  Presbytery, 
the  members  doubtless  scattered  and  became  the  nuclei 
of  churches  of  a  later  period. 

Little  Rock. — In  the  summer  of  1893,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  Rev.  J.  A.  Smith 
opened  the  work  in  Little  Rock.  Mr.  John  F.  Oates  and 
family  were  perhaps  the  only  Associate  Reformed  Pres- 
byterians in  the  city.  Mr.  Smith  held  services  two  Sab- 
baths a  month  under  a  shed  in  the  western  part  of  the  city 
and  in  a  hall  in  the  east  end.  He  gave  two  Sabbaths  a 
month  to  Russellville.  This  arrangement  continued  dur- 
ing the  summer.  The  organization  was  affected  by  Rev. 
J.  L.  Young,  S.  M..  of  the  Arkansas  Presbytery  at  the 
residence  of  J.  M.  Burnett  in  West  Little  Rock,  Nov., 


5o6      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

1893.  Fifteen  names  were  enrolled.  J.  F.  Oates  and  J. 
j\I.  Burnett  were  ordained  elders.  Two  deacons  were 
also  ordained.  Revs.  J.  M.  White  and  O.  Y.  Bonner 
each  supplied  a  few  months  during  the  next  year  and  a 
half.  Rev.  G.  G.  Parkinson  began  work  in  Little  Rock 
in  July,  1895.  He  found  15  members  in  the  mission.  For 
one  year  he  gave  his  entire  time  to  it.  After  opening 
work  at  Jacksonville  he  gave  Little  Rock  half  time.  He 
labored  in  this  field  faithfully  until  Synod  called  him  to 
a  chair  in  the  Seminary  in  Nov.,  1900.  The  mission  grew 
notwithstanding  frequent  removals,  and  at  that  time  they 
had  40  members.  During  this  time  C.  C.  Bell  was 
added  to  the  session.  Rev.  A.  H.  Griffith  began  work  in 
the  mission  Dec,  1900.  He  was  installed  pastor  for  all 
his  time  Dec.  3,  1902.  The  membership  had  doubled. 
J.  W.  Miller,  M.  D.,  and  J.  Kerr  Oates  were  added  to 
the  session.  The  mission  church  was  built  and  furnished 
early  in  1895  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,000.  It  is  located 
in  West  Little  Rock.  The  money  was  raised  mainly  by 
voluntary  contributions  from  persons  and  churches  in 
answer  to  appeals  in  the  church  papers.  It  was  dedicated 
by  Rev.  O.  Y.  Bonner  in  May,  1895.  They  have  a  S.  S. 
and  L.  B.  Society. 

Lodiuwnt,  now  known  as  Mt.  Carmel  A.  R.  P.  Church, 
was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1875  under  the  inspection 
of  the  Second  Presbytery.  For  a  short  time  it  was  sup- 
plied by  Dr.  W.  ]\I.  Grier  and  by  Dr.  J.  C.  Galloway. 
The  year  following  the  organization  of  the  church  Rev. 
A.  L.  Patterson  was  called  to  the  pastorate.  He  accepted 
the  call  and  was  installed  in  the  fall  of  1876.  He  has 
served  the  church  continuously  from  the  date  of  his  in- 
stallation until  the  present,    1903. 

During  Mr.  Patterson's  pastorate  this  church  has  had 
])reaching  on  two  Sabbaths  of  each  month. 

There  have  been  two  church  buildings  erected,  one  at 
Lodimont  and  one  in  the  village  of  Mt.  Carmel,  to  which 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       507 

place  the  ori^anization  was  moved  in  1885.  The  church 
has  the  confidence  of  the  conmnmity  and  is  in  a  healthy 
condition. 


LONG    CANE,    S.    C. 


Long  Cane,  Abbeville  Co..  S.  C,  is  the  historic  church 
of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South.     About 
the  year  1779  or  1780  Rev.  Thomas  Clark  of  the  Presby- 
tery'of  Pennsylvania  paid  a  visit  to  those  of  his  old  charge 
who  had  settled  on  the  "Long  Canes"  in  the  Carolinas, 
and  organized  the  congregation  of  Long  Cane,  so-called 
from  the  Creek  on  the  west  bank  of  which  the  house  of 
worship  was  built.    On  Alarch  7.  1786,  the  congregations 
of  Cedar  Springs  and  Long  Cane  united  and  subscribed 
a  call  for  Mr.  Clark,  and  on  May  15,  same  year,  the  call 
was  sustained  by  Synod.     In   1791,  when  the  Associate 
Reformed   Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  met 
at    Long   Cane,    a   petition    was   presented    praying   that 
Rev.  Thomas  Clark  be  installed  pastor  of  Long  Cane, 
Imt   it  is  not  known   whether  the  installation  ever  took 
place,  probablv  ncH.  as  he  died  at  the  close  of  the  follow- 
ing year. 

For  four  vears  after  his  death  the  church  was  without 
a  pastor.     Rev.  Peter  Mc^Tullen  was  appointed  to  supply 


5o8      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

as  much  as  possible  during  the  first  year  of  vacancy.  On 
April  lo,  1797,  a  call  was  moderated  for  Rev.  Alex.  Por- 
ter. He  was  ordained  and  installed  under  the  inspection 
of  the  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  April 
2,  1798. 

On  account  of  "his  weak  state  of  health,  and  the  un- 
common largeness  of  his  charge,  making  it  impossible  for 
him  to  do  his  duty,  Mr.  Porter  asked  to  be  released  in 
the  fall  of  1803.  His  request  was  granted.  In  Jan.,  1804, 
he  accepted  a  call  to  Cedar  Springs.  Long  Cane  remained 
vacant  for  more  than  twenty  (20)  years,  although  re- 
peated efforts  were  made  to  secure  a  pastor. 

On  Feb.  28,  1828,  the  two  congregations,  long  sepa- 
rated, again  united  under  one  pastor.  Rev.  John  T.  Press- 
ly,  and  for  a  number  of  years  constituted  one  pastoral 
charge.  Dr.  Pressly  was  elected  to  a  Professorship  in  the 
Associate  Reformed  Theological  Seminary  of  the  West 
at  Allegheny,  Pa.,  and  on  Nov.  10,  183 1,  gave  up  this 
"charge  very  dear"  to  him. 

The  church  then  remained  vacant  until  1837,  when 
Rev.  W.  R.  Hemphill  accepted  a  call,  and  was  ordained 
and  installed.  His  pastorate,  productive  of  much  good, 
continued  for  eleven  years,  until,  the  congregation  seem- 
ing to  droop,  the  pastor  became  more  or  less  discouraged, 
and  in  1848  went  to  fill  a  Professorship  in  Erskine  Col- 
lege. In  September,  1850,  a  call  was  presented  to  Rev. 
H.  T.  Sloan  and  by  him  accepted.  He  was  ordained  and 
installed  at  Long  Cane  Nov.   i,   1850. 

The  original  house  of  worship  at  Long  Cane  was  built 
of  rude  logs.  Another  house  was  erected  during  the 
ministry  of  Dr.  Clark.  In  1856  the  present  church 
building  was  erected.  It  is  of  wood,  44x64  feet,  with  a 
10  foot  porch  and  gallery  around  three  sides. 

The  following  ministers  were  born  in  Long  Cane  and 
Cedar  Springs,  which  was  one  pastorate  :  Dr.  John  T. 
Pressly,  and  his  son.  Dr.  Joseph  Pressly  of  Erie,  Penn., 
Dr.    E.    E.    I^rcsslv,    Dr.    Tames    P.    Presslv,    Dr.    David 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  509 

Pressly,  Dr.  J.  E.  Pressly,  Rev.  Joseph  M'Creary, 
Rev.  Wm.  Patton,  Rev.  E.  L.  Patton,  L.  L.  D., 
Rev.  W.  W.  Patton,  Rev.  Samuel  Morris,  Rev.  John 
Hemphill,  Rev.  James  Weed,  Rev.  S.  P.  Robin- 
son, Rev.  J.  C.  McDonald,  Rev.  R.  F.  Bradley, 
Rev.  E.  B.  Kennedy,  Rev.  I.  N.  Kennedy.  David 
M'Creary  commenced  to  study  theology,  but  was  com- 
pelled to  desist  on  account  of  ill  health.  Wm.  Morrow 
and  Augustus  Ansley  were  theological  students,  but  when 
the  Civil  War  came  on  they  entered  the  service  and  did 
not  return  to  the  Seminary  after  the  War. 

Long  Cane  has  also  produced  a  number  of  laymen  emi- 
nent in  various  walks  of  life,  legislators,  journalists,  and 
statesmen.  The  First  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery  of 
the  South  was  organized  at  Long  Cane  Feb.  24,  1790, 
as  the  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  and  the 
Second  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  was  or- 
ganized at  Cedar  Springs  April  8,  1801,  when  Cedar 
Springs  and  Long  Cane  were  one  charge. 

The  descendants  of  the  members  of  the  congregations 
of  Long  Cane  and  Cedar  Springs  are  to  be  found  to-day 
in  the  churches  of  the  North,  West,  Middle  West,  South 
\\>st.  and  South  as  far  as  Florida. 

Louisville,  /vA'.— Work  was  begun  in  this  city  by  Rev. 
G.  Gordon,  Sept.  loth,  1852,  under  the  direction  of  the  A. 
R.  Presbytery  of  Kentucky.  The  next  year  he  was  au- 
thorized to  solicit  funds  and  erect  a  chapel  to  cost  one 
thousand  dollars.  The  lot  purchased  was  on  the  corner 
of  8th  and  Magazine  Sts.  The  deed  was  made  to  Shan- 
non Reid  as  Trustee  for  the  Presbytery  and  was  dated 
July  13th.  1853.  This  lot  was  sold  in  1858  and  another 
purchased  on  corner  of  7th  and  Chestnut  Sts.,  where  the 
present  church  now  stands,  and  deed  made  to  new  Trus- 
tees. A  chapel  was  erected  on  this  lot  in  1858.  A  memo- 
rial was  presented  from  ]\Tt.  Olivet  church  which  had 
contributed  a  large  part  of  the  funds  for  this  work,  al- 


5IO 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


LOUISVILLE,    KY. 


leging  the  rights  of  Presbytery  were  not  sufficiently 
guarded  in  title  to  the  new  property.  This  matter  was 
before  the  Presbytery  for  three  years.  It  was  finally  set- 
tled by  having  an  Act  of  Corporation  by  the  State  Legis- 
lature to  protect  the  title  to  the  A.  R.  P.  Church. 

The  church  was  organized  Jan.  6th,  1854.  Rev.  G. 
Gordon,  who  had  charge  of  the  work  from  its  beginning, 
was  installed  pastor  Dec.  i6th,  1859.  This  relation  con- 
tinued until  1 87 1.  Oct.  13th,  1870  the  congregation  and 
pastor  connected  themselves  with  the  Southern  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  the  membership  being  at  that  time  75  or 
80.  A  portion  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  by  a 
reason  of  a  division  in  that  Church,  now  united  with  the 
7th  and  Chestnut  Street  church.  The  distinctive  princi- 
ples of  the  church  seem  now  to  have  been  lost.  Rev.  W. 
J.  Lowry  became  pastor  of  the  church  in  1875.  A  few  of 
the  members  being  dissatisfied  with  the  change,  asked  for 
certificates,  and  began  to  take  measures  to  re-establish  the 
A.  R.  P.  Church.  They  were  Mrs.  Ann  A.  Walker,  Jas, 
D.  and  Mrs.  Maclay,  Alex.  Young,  Mrs.  Mary  Ncill, 
Mrs.  Mary  Henry  and  John  S.  Henry,  seven  in  all. 

The  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Kentucky  had  instituted  a 
suit   in    1872   to   recover   the   church    i)ro]icrty.    but   had 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  51 1 

failed.  Dr.  J.  T.  Bonner  visited  them  and  becoming  inter- 
ested in  the  work,  urged  the  Synod  to  attempt  to  re-estab- 
Hsh  the  church.  Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway  was  sent  to  preach 
to  them  for  two  months,  May  and  June,  in  1876.  The 
first  services  were  held  in  the  Methodist  church  on  12th 
St.,  and  it  was  here  that  the  first  communion  service  was 
held  in  July,  1876.  Revs.  J.  T.  Bonner  and  D.  B.  Pressly 
officiating. 

Oct.  1 8th,  1876,  the  reorganization  took  place  by  order 
of  the  Kentucky  Presbytery  with  fifteen  members,  by 
Commision  of  Presbytery,  consisting  of  Rev.  J.  G.  Miller 
and  elders  O.  T.  ^^^'dlace  and  A.  R.  Guyn.  the  services 
being  held  in  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church,  corner  of 
1 6th  and  Chestnut  Sts. 

Rev.  F.  Y.  Pressly  took  charge  of  the  work  as  Synod's 
Missionary,  Nov.  ist,  1876,  and  continued  until  Sept., 
1880.  He  effected  a  compromise  with  the  Presbyterians 
by  which  the  congregation  regained  possession  of  their 
old  church,  corner  of  7th  and  Chestmit  Sts.,  on  condi- 
tion that  they  were  to  have  the  refusal  of  the  property 
at  $3,500.00  if  it  was  ever  offered  for  sale,  or  the  Synod 
abandoned  its  work  at  that  place. 

Rev.  T.  M.  Todd  was  appointed  by  Synod  to  this 
church  for  the  next  year,  1881.  His  work  was  very  ac- 
ceptable, but  his  health  failed  the  following  spring,  and 
the  church  was  left  without  supply  until  the  next  meeting 
of  Synod.  Rev.  C.  S.  Young  was  appointed  for  the 
next  year,  1882,  being  at  that  time  pastor  of  a  church  in 
the  Tenn.  Pres.  Pie  returned  at  the  end  of  the  year  to 
his  pastoral  charge  in  Tennessee. 

Rev.  James  Boyce  was  appointed  for  1883.  May  23, 
1884,  a  call  was  presented  to  him  to  become  pastor.  He 
accepted  the  call  and  continued  the  work  until  Oct.  i6th, 
1896,  when  the  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved. 

He  began  canvassing  the  churches  for  money  to  build 
a  new  church  and  had  almost  completed  this  work  when 
he  resigned.     Tn  1895  Synod  appointed  a  committee  con- 


512 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


sisting  of  Drs.  W.  M.  Grier  and  G.  R.  White  to  confer 
with  the  Trustees  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  and 
secure,  if  possible,  a  release  of  their  claim  on  the  church 
property.  During-  the  year  1896  they  visited  Louisville 
and  were  met  in  a  very  friendly  and  liberal,  Christian 
spirit  by  the  representatives  of  that  church,  who  gene- 
rously gave  up  all  claims  on  the  property  and  gave  the 
Trustees  of  the  Synod  a  clear  title  to  the  property.  The 
A.  R.  Presbyterian  congregation  now  proceeded  to  erect 
a  new  and  handsome,  modern  church  building.  The 
church  was  dedicated  Jan.  ist,  1899,  Dr.  Grier  preaching 
the  sermon  from  Is.  43,  10.  The  cost  was  $10,200.00, 
which  with  the  lot  is  worth  $15,000.00,  and  is  entirely 
free  from  debt. 

The  church  was  vacant  for  two  years,  receiving  sup- 
plies from  Synod's  Board  of  Missions.  Rev.  S.  W.  Reid 
received  a  call  to  become  pastor,  which  he  accepted,  and 
was  installed  Dec.  31st,  1898.  He  still  continues  his  work 
under  the  divine  blessing. 

The  session  is  composed  of  elders  R.  A.  Gordon,  J.  S. 
Walker,  John  S.  Henry  and  Thomas  Huxley. 

Louisville,  Ga. — This  church  was  organized  perhaps 
in  the  latter  part  of  1874  or  beginning  of  1875  by  Dr.  D. 
G.  Phillips.  For  many  years  at  intervals  Dr.  Phillips 
preached  to  them.  The  first  systematic  work  was  done  by 
Rev.  A.  L.  Patterson  during  the  years  of  1874  and  '75. 
He  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway,  who  came  to 
Bethel  and  Louisville  churches  in  Dec,  1875,  and  contin- 
ued in  this  field  for  eight  years.  R.  J.  Boyd  and  J.  J.  Keith 
were  the  first  elders,  there  being  no  deacons  until  about 
1878  or  '79,  when  Mr.  J.  C.  Little  became  deacon  by 
removal  from  Ebenezer.  There  were  18  members  at  the 
time  of  organization.  These  members  came  largely  from 
Ebenezer  and  Bethel. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway  was  the  first  pastor,  being  installed 
on  Saturday  before  the  second  Sabbath  of  May,  1877,  in 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


513 


the  old  Methodist  church,  which  at  that  time  was  used  in 
common  by  both  the  Methodists  and  A.  R.  congregations, 
inasmuch  the  A.  R.  congregation  had  no  house  of  worship. 
Through  the  energetic  efforts  of  Mr.  J.  C.  Little,  W.  L. 
Phillips  and  others  a  handsome  church  edifice  was  erected 
in  1880,  and  dedicated  on  Saturday  before  the  Second 
Sabbath  of  Nov.,  the  sermon  being  preached  by  Rev.  W. 
M.  Grier. 

In  1884  Synod  assigned  Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway  to  the 
Charlotte  Mission  and  he  demitted  the  charge  in  April, 
1885.  When  the  work  was  taken  up  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Mills, 
who  was  installed  in  1885,  and  still  continues  in  this  field. 
The  elders  at  this  time  are  J.  C.  Little,  Wm.  Little,  W. 
L.  Phillips,  J.  W.  White  and  J.  F.  Brown.    ' 

The  deacons  are  W.  A.  Stone,  Wm.  Whigam  and  J. 
F.  Hudson. 

Lovelady  is  a  railroad  station  in  Houston  Co.,  Texas, 
where  some  families  from  Ebenezer,  Miss., — Snells,  Em- 
ersons  and  others — located  about  the  year  1878.  Rev.  R. 
E.  Patterson  ministered  to  them  and  a  church  was  organ- 
ized in  1879.  In  a  year  or  two  they  had  erected  a  comfor- 
table house  of  worship.  Mr.  Patterson  supplied  them 
and  became  their  pastor  in  1884.  The  prospects  seemed 
encouraging,  but  discord  arose,  and  he  gave  up  the  charge 
in  1886.  A  number  of  the  members  moved  to  other  places 
and  the  Presbytery,  on  account  of  scarcity  of  laborers, 
was  unable  to  supply  the  pulpit.  The  church  was  dis- 
organized and  the  house  sold  in  1892. 

Madolcs  Old  Field,  Laurens  County,  S.  C,  was  organ- 
ized soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery  of  the 
Carolinas  and  Georgia.    Of  its  history  little  is  known. 

Presbytery  met  there  Feb.  29,  1828.     In  the  preceding 
year  a  call  was  made  for  Rev.  Bryson.     This  call  was 
sustained  by  the  fall  meeting  of  Presbytery.     At  the  fol- 
lowing meeting  Mr.  Bryson  declined  the  call. 
Z2>        ^ 


514 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


From  time  to  time  the  following  were  sent  as  supplies : 
Revs.  S.  P.  Pressly,  John  Renwick,  Bryson  and  John  T. 
Pressly. 

Alarlozv,  Texas. — Marlow  is  about  four  miles  south  of 
Cameron  in  Milam  Co.,  Tex.  The  church  at  this  place  is 
the  result  of  the  union  of  Prairie  View  and  Milano.  The 
union  took  place  in  1896.  They  built  a  nice  frame  church 
at  Marlow,  which  they  occupied  in  1900.  Rev.  Calvin 
Pressly,  their  supply  in  1896,  and  pastor  in  the  spring  of 
1897,  labored  to  effect  this  union  and  establish  a  church 
at  a  central  point.  He  demitted  the  charge  Dec.  i,  1902. 
At  that  time  Marlow  reported  60  members. 

McMalion's  Creek,  Belmont  Co.,  Ohio,  was  organized 
as  an  Associate  Church  in  1827.  Being  in  sympathy 
with  the  South  they  entreated  Rev.  W.  M.  McElwee  to 
visit  and  preach  for  them  early  after  the  war  between  the 
States.  A  call  was  extended  him  but  declined.  Rev.  W. 
S.  Moffatt  began  stated  labors  in  June,  1868,  and  was 
installed  pastor  in  the  spring  of  1869  by  the  Ohio  Pres- 
bytery, having  become  a  connection  with  the  A.  R.  Synod 
Sept.  19,  1867.  Pastor  and  congregation  joined  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  May  30,  1881. 

Mhoon  Valley,  Clay  Co.,  Miss.,  was  organized  Dec.  7, 
1889,  by  Rev.  F.  Y."  Pressly.  A.  W.  M^iller  and  J.  T. 
Boyd  were  elected  elders  and  Joseph  Cooper,  deacon. 
The  members  had  formerly  belonged  at  Starkville,  and 
they  were  supplied  with  preaching  monthly  from  Stark- 
ville. On  the  2nd  of  May,  1891,  the  parent  church  peti- 
tioned the  Memphis  Presbytery  to  be  allowed  to  with- 
draw with  a  view  to  connecting  with  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church.  This  was  granted  and  Mhoon  Valley, 
being  virtually  included,  was  allowed  to  withdraw  and 
has  since  been  United  Presbyterian. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       515 

Miscanopy,  Alachua  Co.,  fla. — Rev.  A.  S.  Sloan,  by 
Synod's  order,  labored  nine  days  in  winter  '53-'54,  and 
also  Rev.  E.  E.  Boyce  three  days,  the  former  received 
$63.00,  the  latter  $18.50.  A  church  was  organized  1854 
asking  "for  a  man's  time  and  promising  to  sustain  him." 
Five  hundred  is  promised  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Miller  supplies 
Oct.,  '55,  Oct.,  '57.  At  this  stage  it  seems  for  some 
cause  the  work  ceased  and  the  havoc  of  war  swept  away 
a  once  promising  mission. 

Milano,  Tex. — Milano  is  a  railroad  junction  in  Milan 
Co.  The  Cedar  Creek  and  Pine  Oak  people  united  in  an 
effort  to  build  a  house  and  concentrate  their  strength  here 
as  a  central  point  in  1893.  I.  N.  Burnett  and  W.  J.  Boyd 
were  added  to  the  session.  But  the  building  was  never 
completed.  It  was  sold  in  1899.  The  members  united 
with  those  of  Prairie  \'iew  in  establishing  the  church  at 
IMarlow  in  1896. 

MonticcUo,  Ark. — In  1853  and  '4  ome  A.  R.  P.  families 
moved  from  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  to  Drew  Co.,  Ark,  set- 
tling near  Monticello,  the  county  seat.  Rev.  J.  K.  Boyce 
visited  them  during  the  summer  of  1854.  During  the 
following  winter  Rev.  John  Wilson  spent  several  weeks 
with  them  and  organized  the  church  in  Feb.,  1855.  W. 
N.  Fee,  Thomas  Lyle  and  R.  B.  Harper,  M.  D.,  were 
elected  elders.  A  house  of  worship  was  soon  erected, 
but  not  finished  until  1869.  They  were  visited  by  several 
ministers  during  the  next  three  years,  but  none  of  them 
remained  longer  than  a  few  months.  In  Nov.,  1858, 
Rev.  J.  M.  Brown  came  and  was  installed  pastor  in  June 
of  the  next  year^IMt.  Zion  taking  part  of  his  time.  In 
i860  he  gave  up  the  ?iIonticello  church  and  Rev.  J.  A. 
Dickson  became  stated  supply.  He  was  installed  pastor 
in  1861.  The  church  then  had  about  60  members.  Mr. 
Dickson  continued  pastor  until  1866,  when  with  about 
half  of  the  conirreiration  he  went  into  the  Presbvterian 


510       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Church.  Three  elders,  viz.,  Samuel  Allen,  R.  B.  Harper, 
M.  D.,  and  A.  J.  McQuiston,  with  about  30  members, 
continued  the  organization.  Rev.  John  Wilson  took  up 
the  work  in  the  spring  of  1867  ^s  supply,  giving  half 
time  tmtil  1880.  Rev.  J.  L.  Young  began  work  here  in 
March,  1880,  dividing  his  time  equally  between  Monti- 
cello  and  Saline.  He  was  installed  pastor  April  23,  1881. 
The  church  had  31  members;  its  elders  were  A.  J.  Mc- 
Quiston, Hugh  \\'ilson,  W.  H.  McQuiston,  D.  P.  Craig 
and  J.  B.  Wilson.  The  congregation  has  suffered  heavy 
losses  in  members.  It  sent  out  colonies  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  Mt.  Zion  in  1858.  Saline  in  1861,  Ebenezer  in 
1869.  The  division  of  1866  carried  away  about  half  the 
members  and  made  the  work  more  difficult  afterward.  It 
has  lost  heavily  also  by  removals.  But  it  is  well  organized 
and  has  continued  to  grow.  It  had  about  80  members 
in  1903.  A  beautiful  church  was  erected  in  1889  costing 
about  $1500.  A  parsonage  was  built  on  the  church  lot 
in  1895  costing  $1100.  Rev.  W.  A.  Wilson  was  a  mem- 
ber of  this  church  when  he  was  licensed  to  preach.  A.  J. 
McQuiston,  who  was  an  elder  from  1859  till  his  death 
in  1900,  was  an  important  factor  in  the  life  and  growth 
of  the  church. 

A  graduate  of  Erskine  College  and  identified  with  the 
educational  work  of  his  community  and  county,  either 
as  teacher  or  as  examiner  of  teachers,  he  was  eminently 
qualified  for  the  life  of  usefulness  he  lived.  He  was  a 
recognized  leader  in  the  church,  and  often  took  a  prom- 
inent part  in  the  work  of  the  Presbytery.  They  have 
a  flourishing  S.  S.,  a  L.  B.  S.,  a  Y.  P.  C.  U.  and  a  Junior 
Union. 

Mooresvillc,  Iredell  Co.,  N.  C. — Early  in  Sept.,  1885, 
some  18  persons  asked  to  be  organized  in  Moorcsville. 
Presbytery  granted  the  request  and  very  soon  afterward 
the  congregation  began  official  existence,  and  used  the 
Methodist  High  School  Iniilding.     Dr.  I'ressh-  and  cithers 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       517 

gave  them  supplies  until  Rev.  T.  B.  Stewart  was  or- 
dained and  installed  Nov.  19,  1887,  and  continued  pas- 
tor till  1889,  when  the  congregation  was  disorganized 
b}-  removals.  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love  began  in  March,  1896, 
monthly  services,  the  Methodist  church  being  generously 
tendered.  Thirty-one  names  were  sent  to  Presbytery 
September,  and  28  members  went  into  the  organization 
Nov.  12,  1896.  R.  J.  Willis  and  W.  C.  Patterson  elders, 
and  Walter  Willis  deacon. 

Rev.  W.  Y.  Love,  with  characteristic  promptness,  set 
to  work,  raised  $1,893.00,  a  comfortable  and  convenient 
church  was  completed  and  used  first,  Jan.  2nd,  1898,  and 
dedicated  Saturday  night,  March  19th  following. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  1898,  Y.  B.  Smith  and  S.  J. 
Brawley  were  ordained  ruling  elders,  and  S.  J.  Pressly, 
Robert  M.  Knox  and  Dr.  James  Young  deacons.  The 
congregation  worshipped  before  organization  in  the 
Methodist  church,  and  then  in  the  Academy  until  the 
present  handsome  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$2,000.00.  Rev.  E.  F.  Grifiith  labored  as  stated  supply 
for  about  two  years,  beginning  in  Dec,  1898.  Rev.  R.  C. 
Davidson  is  the  present  pastor,  having  been  installed 
May  23,  1 90 1. 

.1/^.  Bethel,  Abbeville  Co.,  S.  C,  organized  1847, 
There  were  seven  members  in  1853.  It  passed  soon  af- 
terward from  the  roll. 

Mt  Caniiel,  Marshall  Co.,  Miss,  is  about  eight  miles 
south  of  Collierville,  Tenn.,  on  the  Southern  RR.  and  the 
same  distance  north  of  Victoria  on  the  Frisco  System. 
The  first  settlement  was  made  in  1839  by  emigrants  from 
different  parts  of  the  country.  It  is  thought  they  had 
a  little  preaching  during  the  next  two  years  by  different 
ministers.  An  organization  was  effected  August  2,  1842, 
by  Rev.  John  Wilson  of  twenty-two  (22)  members. 
lohn    Brown    and    Abner   Carroll    were   elected    elders. 


5i8      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

During  the  years  1843-44-45  the  congregation  was  vis- 
ited by  a  number  of  ministers  from  the  Tennessee  and 
the  Second  Presbyteries,  and  several  famihes  were  re- 
ceived from  Lincohi  Co.,  Tenn.,  and  from  Alabama. 

Rev.  James  A.  Sloan,  probationer  of  the  First  Pres- 
bytery, visited  them  in  the  summer  of  1845,  and  by  re- 
quest was  sent  back  in  the  fall,  and  was  ordained  and 
installed  pastor  during  a  meeting  oi  the  Alabama  Pres- 
bytery at  this  place,  April  18,  1846. 

A  new  church  was  occupied  first  in  May,  1848.  1852 
was  a  year  of  dissension  among  the  members  and  the 
church  was  seriously  injured  thereby.  Rev.  Sloan  con- 
tinued as  pastor  until  August,  1866,  though  it  seems 
that  for  five  years  previous  to  that  time  he  did  not  attend 
the  meetings  of  Presbytery,  and  for  four  years  he 
preached  but  little,  and  that  for  a  number  of  years  he 
engaged  in  no  pastoral  work. 

The  church  was  supplied  until  Rev.  R.  L.  Grier  went 
there.  He  supplied  the  pulpit  during  1870,  was  installed 
pastor  latter  part  of  187 1,  and  demitted  the  charge  in 
1879.  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love  served  as  supply  during  1881 
and  1882. 

The  third  church  building,  that  which  is  now  standing, 
was  opened  for  service  September,  1881.  This  building 
was  remarkably  preserved  during  a  cyclone  in  the  spring 
of  1899  which  passed  over  it.  Many  of  the  large  forest 
trees  in  the  grove  in  which  the  church  is  situated  were 
torn  off  or  uprooted,  but  not  so  much  as  a  glass  was 
broken  or  shingle  removed   from   the  church  building ! 

Rev.  J-  W.  Baird  ministered  to  this  congregation  in 
189T-92,  and  Rev.  R.  S.  Harris  has  been  serving  them 
for  several  years  and  is  still  in  charge  of  the  work  there. 

Mount  Ncho,  Tcnn.,  organized  l)y  Rev.  Thomas 
Turner,  1852,  with  six  families  and  13  members,  paid 
that  year  to  Missions  $35,  received  occasional  supplies 
from  Revs.  L.  Turner.  R.  F.  Ta\'lor  and  others  of  the 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       519 

Georgia  Presbytery,  but  passed  from  the  roll  durinq,-  the 
wreck  of  reconstruction. 

Mt.  Olivet,  Bath  Co.,  Ky.,  was  probably  organized  by 
the  Second  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  about  1796 
or  7.  Its  first  pastor  was  Rev.  John  Steele,  who  was  in- 
stalled about  1799.  Mt.  Olivet  was  at  that  time  a  branch 
of  Shiloh  congregation  and  was  so  regarded  by  Presby- 
tery in  1803.  The  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  Sept. 
9th,  1803. 

A  call  was  made  out  for  Rev.  Robt.  H.  Bishop  and 
declined  by  him  March  2y,  1804.  It  was  supplied  by 
Revs.  David  Risk,  W.  H.  Rainey,  Adam  Rankin  and 
Abraham  Craig  until  Dec.  17th,  1824,  when  Rev.  Hugh 
Mayne  began  preaching  there.  He  was  installed  as  pas- 
tor over  Shiloh  and  Mt.  Olivet  and  Flemingsburg,  May 
17th,  1826.  The  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  in  1838. 
In  1841,  Rev.  Gilbert  Gordon  began  preaching  there. 
Dec.  16,  1842,  the  church  formally  connected  with  the 
Synod  of  the  South,  renouncing  all  connection  with  the 
Synod  of  the  West.  He  was  installed  as  pastor  in  the 
fall  of  1843.  The  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  Sept. 
loth,  1852. 

The  Synod  met  here  in  1853.  It  was  now  supplied  by 
the  Synod  by  J.  H.  Bryson,  S.  C.  Boyce,  J.  G.  Miller, 
W.  J.  and  J.  A.  Lowry,  A.  S.  Montgomery,  J.  A.  Myers 
and  probably  others. 

The  church  was  greatly  weakened  by  prominent  mem- 
bers leaving  at  the  time  of  the  Gordon  defection  in  1870. 
In  1 87 1  Rev.  D.  B.  Pressly  began  preaching  here,  and 
was  installed  as  pastor  of  Olivet  and  Hinkston  May  12th, 
1873.  This  relation  was  dissolved  on  account  of  Mr. 
Pressly 's  failing  health,  Nov.  i8th,  1886.  Since  that  time 
it  has  had  no  pastor.  For  some  years  it  was  associated 
with  Xcw  Hope,  but  in  1901  was  associated  with  Hinks- 
ton, and  was  supplied  for  one  and  a  half  years  by  Rev. 
J.  L.  Pressly  up  to  Noveijiber,  1902. 


520 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


Among'  the  first  elders  were  John  Cunningham,  Sr., 
and  James  Berry,  Sr.,  and  afterwards  Wm.  Marshall,  Sr. 
At  present  J.  B.  Spratt  is  the  only  elder. 

The  church  has  been  much  weakened  by  removals  to 
other  States  and  to  other  counties  in  this  State.  From 
1830  to  1855  this  was  much  the  strongest  A.  R.  P. 
Church  in  Kentucky,  but  now  it  is  very  much  reduced, 
being  the  smallest  numerically  in  the  Presbytery. 

The  first  church  building  was  a  log  house,  about  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile  south  of  the  present  building,  and  was 
built  about  1800. 

The  present  building  is  a  large  well-built  and  neatly 
furnished  brick  building  erected  in  1829.  It  was  re- 
paired in  1871,  and  again  in  1902.  It  is  about  two  miles 
southeast  of  Sharpsburg  Post  Office  on  the  Sharpsburg 
&  Owensville  turnpike,  and  is  in  a  good  state  of  pres- 
ervation. 

The  Berry  family  and  others  contributed  liberally  to 
the  erection  of  a  church  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1854  or  5. 

Mt.  Paran,  Tipton  Co.,  Tcnn.,  was  located  about  four 
miles  west  of  Brighton,  and  probably  more  than  seven 
miles  northwest  of  Salem.  It  was  organized  by  Rev.  J. 
H.  Strong  Nov.  26,  1881,  with  23  members,  the  most 
of  whom  perhaps  were  formerly  members  of  Salem  A. 
R.  P.  Church.  J.  M.  McClerkin,  John  Craig  and  Tur- 
ner H.  Sweat  were  chosen  elders,  and  J.  C.  Moore  and 
R.  C.  McClerkin  deacons.  It  was  generally  supplied  by 
the  Rev.  J.  G.  Miller  until  it  united  with  Bloomington 
in  forming  the  Brighton  congregation,  April  25,  1896. 

Mt.  Vernon,  SJiclby  Co.,  Teiin.,  is  supposed  to  have 
been  a  preaching  place,  but  its  location  is  now  imknown. 

Mt.  Zion,  .Irk. — This  church  was  an  offshoot  from  the 
church  in  Monticcllo,  being  about  13  miles  north  of  it. 
It  was  organized   during  the   summer  of   18^8  bv  Rev. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       521 

John  Wilson,  and  at  first  called  Providence.  Imniigra- 
gants  came  in,  mainly  from  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  and 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  and  the  number  of  members  in- 
creased rapidly.  Rev.  W.  S.  Moffatt  supplied  them  a  few 
months  and  an  effort  was  made  to  secure  his  settlement 
as  pastor.  Rev.  J-  M.  Brown  bcg-an  work  here  early  in 
1859,  and  was  installed  pastor  in  June  of  that  year.  He 
went  into  the  Confederate  Army  in  1862  in  company 
with  quite  a  number  of  his  members.  Many  of  these 
never  returned.  During  the  pastor's  absence  the  church 
was  supplied,  at  least  part  of  the  time,  by  Revs.  D.  Kerr 
and  A.  Mayne. 

In  1867  Mr.  Brown  and  almost  the  entire  congregation 
connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States. 

Mt.  Zion,  Mo.- — This  was  the  first  A.  R.  Presbyterian 
Church  organized  west  of  the  Mississippi  River.  It  was 
organized  by  Rev.  Alexander  Bowers  of  the  Synod  of 
the  West  August  ist,  1834. 

The  nucleus  from  which  it  had  its  beginning  was 
formed  by  "Peter  Galloway,  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Asso- 
ciate congregation  of  York  District,  S.  C,  in  1818,  and 
Samuel  Gladney  and  David  Wilson,  a  ruling  elder  of 
the  Associate  Reformed  congregation  of  Little  River 
(Ebenezer.)  Fairfield  Dist.,  S.  C,  in  1820.  James  Finley, 
James  Alexander  and  Alexander  Reid,  elders  of  the  A. 
R.  Pres.  Church  in  Shelby  Co.,  Ky.,  afterwards  joined 
them."  The  first  preaching  they  had  was  from  the  As- 
sociate Presbyterians,  viz..  Revs.  Adams,  Carson,  Ken- 
dell,  Eagles,  McLane,  McCarroll  and  probably  others. 

The  elders  in  1834,  at  its  organization,  were  Alexander 
Reid,  Sr..  James  Alexander,  Sr..  and  James  Finley. 
There  were  seven  members  received  by  certificate,  and 
four  by  profession,  making  1 1  at  the  organization. 

The  first  church  building  was  near  Auburn,  and  that 
fact  gave  it  that  name,  until  1843,  when  the  name  was 
changed  to  Mt.  Zion. 


522 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


For  six  years  they  had  no  regular  preacher,  but  only 
such  temporary  supplies  of  preaching  as  Synod  sent  them. 
Among  these  were  Revs.  David  Blair,  John  McLane, 
Hugh  Pooks,  Turner,  McNeil,  Thompson  and  Samuel 
Finley. 

The  subject  of  slavery  was  agitated  so  strongly  that 
they  became  dissatisfied  with  a  Northern  connection  and 
sought  connection  with  the  Synod  of  the  South. 
The  correspondence  was  conducted  by  James  Finley. 
He  secured  the  services  of  Rev.  Robert  McCoy, 
who  preached  for  them  two  years,  from  June  26th, 
1841.  The  name  of  this  congregation  appears  on 
the  roll  of  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Kentucky  at 
its  organization  Dec.  i6th,  1842,  under  the  A.  R.  P. 
Synod  of  the  South.  At  this  meeting  they  petitioned  for 
the  moderation  of  a  call.  The  petition  was  granted,  and 
call  was  presented  to  the  Presbytery  Aug.  19th,  1843,  fo^ 
the  services  of  Rev.  S.  S.  Ralston  of  the  Tennessee  Pres- 
bytery. Mr.  Ralston  began  his  labors  as  pastor  on  the 
last  Sabbath  of  Nov.,  1843.  He  preached  for  them  one 
half  time,  the  other  half  being  taken  by  Buffalo,  Mo., 
and  Concord  in  Calaway  Co.,  Mo.  He  demitted  the 
Buffalo  branch  of  his  charge  Nov.  26th,  185 1,  and  it  is 
presumed  Concord  also  at  the  same  date,  though  he  con- 
tinued as  stated  supply  for  several  years  longer  at  Buf- 
falo. His  installation  as  pastor  at  Mt.  Zion  took  place 
on  May  30th,  1845.  He  asked  for  dissolution  of  this 
relation  Sept.  loth,  1859.  It  was  granted  Sept.  8th,  i860, 
when  he  joined  the  U.  P.  Church. 

The  brick  church  building  now  used  by  this  congrega- 
tion was  built  in  185 1.  The  dedication  sermon  was 
preached  bv  Rev.  S.  S.  Ralston  on  3rd  Sabbath  of  May, 
1851. 

Rev.  J.  G.  Miller  immediately  took  charge  of  the 
church  and  continued  as  stated  supply  for  fifteen  years. 
From  1875  to  1882  it  was  supplied  by  Synod  by  Rev.  F. 
Y.  Prcssly.  ].  L.  Young,  Wm.  A.  ^^'i]son  and  T-  S.  Mills. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       523 

Rev.  F.  Y.  Pressly  was  installed  as  pastor  May  20th, 
1882.  He  resigned  the  charge  Sept.  13th,  1886.  The 
church  was  now  supplied  by  Rev.  D.  B.  Pressly  for  two 
years  to  Sept.  24th,  1888,  the  date  of  his  death.  He  was 
followed  by  Rev.  B.  H.  Grier,  who  accepted  a  call  from 
the  congregation  June  15th,  1889.  This  relation  was  dis- 
solved May  22nd,  1894.  Rev.  S.  A.  George  was  the  next 
supply.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Castles,  who 
was  installed  as  pastor  May  i6th,  1896.  He  died  Feb. 
i6th,  1897.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  R.  L.  Grier  as 
supply,  who  continued  until  Sept.  21st,  1899.  He  was 
immediately  followed  by  Rev.  H.  Rabb,  who  continued 
as  supply  until  May  ist,  1903.  The  remainder  of  the 
year  it  was  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Pressly,  who  is  the 
supply  at  present. 

Four  ministers  have  been  reared  in  this  congregation, 
viz..  Revs.  John  \\\  Finley,  Gilbert  G.  Wilson,  Wm.  B. 
Logan  and  P.  B.  Logan.  The  three  last  named  are  in 
connection  with  the  U.  P.  Church. 

The  most  noted  revival  in  the  history  of  the  congrega- 
tion was  conducted  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr  in  Nov.,  1896, 
when  40  persons  united  with  the  church. 

The  congregation  has  always  been  liberal  and  pays  its 
assessments  to  the  Mission  Funds  promptly.  It  main- 
tains a  good  Sunday  School,  Woman's  Society  and 
Young  Peoples'  Society.  The  congregation  has  a  good 
parsonage  well  located.  The  membership  of  the  church 
is  140. 

Monroe,  Union  Co.,  K.  C.  organizefl  1855  and  sup- 
plied by  the  First  Presbytery.  A  lot  was  bought  and  a 
small  church  built.  Fithcr  by  some  defect  in  the  title  or 
advantage  taken  the  property  passed  into  other  hands 
and  could  not  be  recovered. 

Nashville.  Davidson  Co.,  Tenn.,  was  a  mission  of  the 
Associate  Reformed   Synod  of  the   South.     The  church 


524 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


was  organized  there  in  1855  by  Rev.  H.  T.  Sloan.  Vari- 
ous brethren  ministered  to  the  flock  there  at  different 
times.  Among  them  is  mentioned  Revs.  H.  T.  Sloan. 
H.  Quigg,  W.  R.  Hemphill,  D.  D.,  J.  C.  Chalmers,  R.  C. 
Gri^,  D.  D.,  J.  A.  Lowry.  J.  G.  Miller,  C.  B.  Betts  and 
others  probably.  But  the  war  came  on  and  the  church 
finally  disintegrated  and  is  now  defunct. 

Neho,  Cleveland  Co.,  N.  C,  organized  March  17,  1856, 
by  division  of  Old  Pisgah  and  located  something  over  a 
mile  to  the  northwest  of  Kings  Mountain.  Received  sup- 
plies from  Dr.  E.  E.  Boyce  till  his  resignation,  Sept.  23, 
1875.  Again  divided  and  disorganized  to  form  Kings 
Mountain  and  Bethel,  1876. 

Wm.  Weir,  Thomas  McGill,  A.  V.  Falls,  Samuel  Har- 
mon,  Alfred   Ware   and   N.   Kiser   were   ruling 

elders.  A  comfortable  frame  building  was  erected  in 
1856.  This  was  sold  and  converted  into  a  store  in  Kings 
Mountain  and  Ijurned  in  1889.     The  land  was  sold. 

Keely's  Creek,  S.  C. — The  congregation  of  Neely's 
Creek  was  organized  about  1790.  On  the  8tli  of  June. 
1794,  Rev.  William  Blackstock  was  settled  as  pastor  of 
Steel  Creek,  Ebenezer  and  Neely's  Creek. 

This  relationship  continued  until  1804.  The  churches 
constituting  the  charge  of  Rev.  Blackstock  were  rent  by 
the  McMullan-Dixon  difficulty  and  Neely's  Creek,  ac- 
cording to  Rev.  R.  Lathan,  left  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church  and  went  into  the  Associate  Presbytery. 

During  its  connection  with  the  Associate  Church, 
Neely's  Creek  was  ministered  to  by  Revs.  William  Dick- 
son, Abraham  Anderson,  D.  D.,  Thomas  Ketchin,  John 
Mushat,  A.  Whyte,  and  supplies  sent  occasionally  from 
the  North. 

In  August,  1847,  Neely's  Creek  was  organized  as  an 
Associate  Reformed  Church.  On  the  26th  of  July,  1849, 
Rev.  R.  F.  Taylor  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       525 

Xeely's  Creek.  He  served  until  1851.  In  the  fall  of 
1853  Rev.  L.  McDonald  was  installed  as  pastor  for  half 
time.  Rev.  McDonald  continued  as  pastor  until  the  fall 
of  1870. 

At  a  meeting  of  First  Presbytery  on  4th  Sept.,  1871, 
the  united  congregations  of  Neely's  Creek  and  Union 
presented  a  call  to  Rev.  C.  B.  Betts.  H  was  installed  on 
3rd  of  Nov.,  1 87 1.  This  pastorate  ended  in  the  fall  of 
1889. 

After  a  vacancy  of  three  years  Rev.  D.  G.  Caldwell 
was  installed  as  pastor.  Rev.  Caldwell  resigned  in  1894 
and  Rev.  Oliver  Johnson  was  ordained  and  installed  Oct. 
18,  1894.  The  first  elders  of  Xeely's  Creek  were,  Alex- 
ander Harberson,  Sanuiel  Lusk  and  Thos.  Spencer. 
They  were  succeeded  by  Thomas  W'ylie,  John  Campbell, 
William  Campbell  and  Jackson  Spencer.  Since  the  or- 
ganization in  1847  the  following  persons  have  been  in- 
ducted into  the  office  of  ruling  elders  in  Xeely's  Creek 
congregation  :  In  1847,  Thos.  Boyd,  John  Roddy,  Wil- 
liam W)-lie  and  Samuel  Wylie.  In  1849,  '"^-  Templeton 
Black,  David  Roddy  and  Jonathan  ]\IcFadden.  In  1857, 
Matthew  S.  Lynn.  In  1861,  David  C.  Roddy.  In  1868, 
D.  T.  Leslie  and  John  T.  Boyd.  In  1874,  J.  R.  Patton, 
\\\  W.  White  and  A.  J.  Walker. 

The  following  constitute  the  eldership  at  the  writing, 
1903 :  Rev.  Oliver  Johnson,  pastor.  Elders,  D.  T.  Les- 
lie, W.  Wliite,  A.  J.  Walker,  J.  T.  Ferguson,  T.  M.  Allen, 
A\'.  S.  Leslie,  G.  A.  Cjettys,  W.  S.  Boyd,  D.  F.  Leslie. 

A^ezv  Hope,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tcini.,  was  organized  in  1850 
by  the  Tennessee  Presbytery.  "One  church  building  has 
been  erected  and  it  has  given  three  ministers  (known) 
to  the  world,"  but  nothing  else  is  known  of  its  history 
till  Nov.  2,  1893,  when  Rev.  W.  S.  Castles  was  installed 
pastor  over  Xew  Hope  and  Bethel.  He  demitted  the 
united  charge  Sept.  29,  1894,  and  the  next  year  New 
Hope  and  Bethel  were  consolidated  in  one  church  called 
Elk  Vallev. 


526 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


NEW    HOPE,    KY. 


Neiv  Hope,  Madison  Co.,  Ky. — The  organization  was 
doubtless  made  under  the  auspices  of  the  Second  A.  R. 
Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania.  The  Kentucky  Presbytery 
was  the  result  of  a  division  of  this  Presbytery,  and  was 
organized  Feb.  nth,  1801.  In  the  minutes  of  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Kentucky  Presbytery  on  date  named,  it 
is  said,  "Petition  was  read  praying  supply  of  sermon 
from  Madison."  Rev.  Adam  Rankin  was  appointed  to 
preach  there. 

The  written  congregational  records  begin  Oct.  30th, 
1805,  which  was  the  date  of  the  installation  of  the 
first  pastor.  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Rainey.  He  continued  as 
pastor  twelve  years,  demitting  his  charge  April  i6th, 
1817,  Rev.  Adam  Rankin  supplied  the  church  from  1818 
to  1826.  From  1828  to  1831  Rev.  James  Walker  was  the 
stated  supply.  He  was  followed  by  Revs.  A.  Craig, 
Samuel  Brown,  Andrew  Bower,  Fulton,  Finley,  Colly, 
Hannon  and  others  up  to  1842. 

In  Dec,  1842,  the  church  changed  its  connection  from 
the  Synod  of  the  West  to  the  Synod  of  the  South,  with 
wliich  it  has  ever  since  remained.  In  June,  1843,  ^t  was 
reorganized  by  Rev.  G.  Gordon,  who  continued  as  stated 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      527 

supply  to  1847.  It  was  supplied  for  twelve  years  by  Revs. 
N.  M.  Gordon,  Lee,  Patrick,  Ranson,  Bryson,  Sloan, 
Robinson,  Pressly,  Miller  and  Boyce. 

Sept  10,  1859,  Rev.  S.  C.  Boyce  was  installed  as  pas- 
tor, which  relation  continued  until  May  12th,  1864.  It 
was  supplied  by  members  of  the  Presbytery  for  three 
years.  Then  by  Revs.  J.  L.  Hemphill  and  J.  A.  i\Iyers 
up  to  1870.  Then  Rev.  W.  R.  Hemphill,  D.  D.,  for  two 
years.  Then  Revs.  G.  R.  White,  J.  S.  A.  Hunter  and  J. 
S.  Mills  up  to  1881.  Rev.  W.  O.  Cochran  was  installed 
pastor  Sept.  i6th,  1881,  and  continued  to  Sept.  12th, 
1884.  From  that  date  to  the  present  time  it  has  been  sup- 
plied by  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  as  follows :  Revs. 
J.  H.  Peoples,  R.  M.  Stevenson,  R.  Y.  Mills,  B.  H.  Grier, 
R.  H.  McAuley,  D.  G.  Phillips,  T.  B.  Stewart,  W.  S. 
Castles,  J.  M.  White,  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco,  J.  H.  Simpson, 
L.  I.  Echols  and  C.  S.  Young.  Of  these  Revs.  McAuley, 
Phillips,  Stewart  and  White  remained  one  year,  and 
Mills  and  Plaxco  two  years  and  Echols  and  Young  three 
years  each.  The  last  named,  Rev.  C.  S.  Young,  began 
his  work  here  in  Jan.,  1901.  and  still  continues.  This 
church  has  never  had  a  minister  for  his  full  time,  hav- 
ing always  been  associated  with  some  other  congregation. 

The  elders  in  1805  were  Michael  and  Wm.  Wallace, 
Alex.  Mackey,  Jacob  Patton  and  James  Cochran.  In 
1842  they  were  Robt.  Cochran,  Salem  Wallace  and  John 
Moran.  At  present  they  are  A.  R.  Guyn,  W.  A.  Ander- 
son, O.  T.  and  H.  L.  Wallace. 

The  first  church  was  built  at  Round  Top  previous  to 
1800.  The  second  was  completed  in  1845  in  the  village 
of  Point  Lick,  five  miles  from  the  former  location,  and 
the  name  was  changed  from  "Point  Lick  and  Silver 
Creek"  to  New  Hope.  It  is  a  good  brick  building,  nicely 
furnished  inside.  It  was  repaired,  new  roof,  etc.,  in  1899 
at  a  cost  of  $510.00. 

The  parsonage  was  built  in  1870  mainly  by  the  contri- 
butions of   Mrs.   Ann   I.   Wallace   and   John   Campbell. 


528      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

The  former  also  gave  20  acres  of  land  to  it  in  addition 
to  two  thousand  dollars  to  keep  up  repairs  and  for  "pas- 
tor's salary."  She  also  gave  $15,000  to  the  permanent 
Endowment  Fund  of  Erskine  College,  and  $3,000  to  the 
temporary  endowment. 

This  church  has  furnished  two  clerks  to  the  Presbytery, 
viz.,  W.  A.  Anderson  from  1870  to  1896  and  O.  T. 
Wallace  from  1896  to  the  present.  It  has  also  furnished 
one  missionary  to  Mexico,  Miss  Fannie  L.  Wallace,  who 
went  out  in  Dec,  1900,  and  fell  at  the  post  of  duty  in 
Tampico,  Mexico,  from  yellow  fever,  Nov.  16,  1902. 
There  is  a  successful  Ladies'  Missionary  Society,  a  Sun- 
day School  and  weekly  prayer  meetings  kept  up.  Rev. 
W.  W.  Orr  conducted  a  successful  meeting  here  in  April, 
1897,  from  which  there  were  26  additions  to  the  church. 
The  Synod  met  here  in  1890. 

vY^zy  Hope,  Georgia,  was  organized  by  Rev.  C.  E. 
Todd  during  his  pastorate  at  Doraville.  It  was  organ- 
ized by  the  Second  Presbytery.  It  has  been  regularly 
supplied  by  the  following  pastors  or  stated  supplies : 
Rev.  C.  E.  Todd,  Rev.  R.  E.  Patterson,  Rev.  H.  Rabb, 
Rev.  J.  A'.  Black  and  Rev.  T.  B.  Stewart  and  Rev.  E.  E. 
Strong.  The  last  named  was  installed  pastor  August 
22nd,  1902.  They  still  occupy  their  first  church  building. 
Rev.  L.  I.  Echols  conducted  a  very  interesting  revival 
meeting  there  in  1903.  Seventeen  persons  made  a  pro- 
fession of  faith. 

Nezv  Hope,  S.  C- — New  Hope  church  is  situated  in 
the  northern  part  of  Fairfield  County,  S.  C,  and  is 
one  of  the  oldest  and  best  churches.  It  was  origin- 
ally a  part  of  Hopewell  church,  in  Chester  County. 
For  many  years  before  its  organization,  there  was 
a  preaching  stand  in  the  community  called  "Kerney- 
ham's,"  after  the  name  of  an  individual  at  or  near  whose 
house  preaching  was  held. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATION'S 


529 


It  was  formally  organized  on  Sept.  19th,  1796,  and  was 
supplied  by  Revs.  Blackstocks,  Aiushat  and  Hemphill. 
Rev.  John  Hemphill  was  the  first  pastor,  and  was  in- 
stalled Sept.  19th,  1796,  in  connection  with  Hopewell  and 
Union.  Air.  Hemphill  preached  at  New  Hope  one-third 
of  his  time,  and  continued  pastor  until  his  death,  May 
20th,  1832.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  James  Boyce,  who 
was  installed  in  connection  with  the  Brick  Church  in 
Dec,  1832. 

Dr.  Boyce  preached  one-half  time  at  New  Hope  until 
he  demitted  his  charge  of  the  Brick  Church  in  1843,  ^"^ 
thereafter  he  gave  all  his  time  to  New  Hope  until  he 
was  called,  in  1870,  to  the  Presidency  of  Erskine  Semi- 
nary, at  Due  West,  S.  C.  For  thirty-seven  years  Dr. 
Boyce  was  the  pastor  of  this  church. 

Rev.  L.  McDonald  was  installed  pastor  in  May,  1871, 
and  continued  pastor  until  his  death,  March  26th,  1874. 
Rev.  R.  G.  Aliller  was  installed  in  1874,  and  continued 
until  1886.  Rev.  H.  B.  Blakely  was  installed  Oct.  19th, 
1887,  and  continued  until  1890. 

Rev.  A.  G.  Kirkpatrick  was  installed  Aug.  14th,  1891, 
and  continued  until  1896. 

Rev.  J.  E.  Johnston  was  installed  Alay  8th,  1897,  and 
continued  until  Jan.,   1900. 

The  congregation  has  erected  three  church  buildings. 
The  first  about  1790,  the  second  about  1830,  and  the 
present  large  and  handsome  church  was  built  in  1886. 

This  congregation  has  given  to  the  church  seven  min- 
isters, and  one  female  missionary  to  Mexico.  In  all  its 
history  it  has  been  known  as  one  of  the  most  liberal  and 
progressive  churches  of  the  Synod.  Its  membership  has 
been  composed  of  pious  and  cultured  people,  and  people 
who  have  always  taken  a  great  interest  in  education. 
Many  of  its  men  and  women  have  received  a  collegiate 
education  and  are  now  filling  many  high  places  in  the 
professional  world. 

In  recent  years  the  congregation  has  been  very  much 
34     '  ' 


530 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


weakened  by  deaths  and  removals,  and  since  1900,  it  has 
not  had  a  pastor. 

Nezv  Hope. — This  church  is  situated  near  the  N.  E. 
corner  of  Izard  Co.,  Ark.  Some  of  the  members  of 
Prosperity  Hved  here,  10  miles  or  more  from  the  church. 
Among  these  were  the  Gaults,  Montgomerys,  Vaughans, 
and  others.  Rev.  S.  P.  Davis,  by  order  of  Synod  of 
1870,  came  to  labor  in  this  field.  He  organized  New 
Hope,  April  8,  1871,  with  30  members.  W.  A.  Gault, 
J.  R.  Vaughan  and  J.  F.  Wilson  were  elected  elders. 
Mr.  Davis  supplied  this  church  in  1872  also.  About  this 
time  they  put  up  their  first  house  of  worship — a  log  struc- 
ture. Rev.  J.  C.  McDonald  began  his  labors  here,  Nov. 
10,  1872,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  New  Hope  and 
Prosperity,  Oct.  10,  1874.  He  made  his  home  in  New 
Hope  congregation,  having-  "homesteaded"  a  piece  of 
land  and  built  a  house  on  it,  not  far  from  the  church. 
He  was  their  pastor  until  1881,  and  stated  supply  much 
of  the  time  until  1888,  also  189 1-5.  Revs.  W.  L.  and  R. 
E.  Patterson,  S.  P.  Davis,  D.  W.  Reid  and  E.  E.  Pressly 
supplied  New  Hope  and  Prosperity  a  few  months  each 
during  these  years.  Rev.  W.  S.  Mofifatt  supplied,  1888- 
90.  During  this  time  they  erected  a  neat  frame  church, 
costing  $500  or  $600,  a  mile  or  more  from  where  the  old 
church  stood.  Rev.  M.  P.  Ellis  came  to  them  in  August, 
1895,  and  Feb.  i,  1896,  was  installed  pastor  of  New  Hope 
and  Prosperity,  each  getting  half  of  his  time.  New  Hope 
had  45  members  at  that  time.  This  has  been  a  happy  set- 
tlement, and  the  church  has  prospered  notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  they  have  lost  some  prominent  members  by 
death.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned  Mr.  W.  A.  Gault, 
who  was  conspicuous  both  in  piety  and  zeal,  and  an  ac- 
knowledged leader  and  efficient  worker.  They  report 
about  70  members.  They  maintain  a  fine  S.  S.,  a  L.  B. 
S.  and  Y.  P.  C.  U. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


531 


A>w  Hope,  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C. — Dr.  Lathan  says:* 
"The  first  settlers  of  the  region  of  country  in  which  Pis- 
gah  is  situated  were  Scotch-Irish,  who  first  settled  near 
Gettysburg-,  Pa.  From  that  point  they  came  to  what 
was  then  Tryon  County.  Aug.  i,  1775,  people  from  this 
county  petitioned  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Pa.,  and 
Rev.  James  Martin,  just  arrived  from  Ireland,  was  sent. 
He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Andrew  Patton  and  Dr. 
Thomas  Clark  and  doubtless  others.  After  the  victory 
of  King's  Mountain,  in  which  some  of  them  doubtless 
participated.  Rev.  John  Jamieson,  Rev.  Thomas  Clark, 
M.  D.,  and  others  visited  here  in  connection  with  the 
other  forty  societies  of  Covenanters  and  A.  R.  Presbyte- 
rians from  Virginia  to  Georgia,  numbering  some  two 
thousand.  These,  or  many  of  them,  without  compromise 
changed  the  name  of  its  congregation  and  location  and 
now  reappear  in  the  fruitful  mother — Pisgah,  and  her 
fair  daughters.     Her  organization  was  j^rior  to  i7<)o. 


NEW    LEB.\NU.\',    W .    VA. 


i\'c7c  Lebanon.  Monroe  Co..  JFesf  I'a. — Manv  Asso- 
ciate Presbyterians  settled  the  fertile  and  beautiful  val- 
ley of  \irginia  before  the  Revolution.  They  sought 
supplies  from  the  Presl)vterv  of  Pennsvlvania  and  Char- 


53^ 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


tiers.  Rev.  John  Cree  most  probably  preached  here  oc- 
casionally from  1 795- 1 803,  as  that  year  he  was  called, 
but  declined.  A  log  church  was  early  constructed  on  the 
grounds  now  enclosed  by  Old  Lebanon  cemetery. 

The  Presbytery  of  Big  Spring,  A.  R.  P.,  in  the  spring 
of  1806,  received  a  society  at  the  Sinks,  in  jNIonroe  Co., 
\'a.  Dr.  Scouller  says,  "The  petition  was  signed  by  two 
ruling-  eldrrs  and  other  members  accompanied  by  a  liberal 
subscription  signed  by  sevent3^-five  heads  of  families  and 
thirty  other  persons.  These  came  from  an  old  organized 
church,  which  had  trustees  and  elders  and  more  than  a 
100  members." 

Rev.  Wm.  Adair,  having  supplied  for  some  time,  ac- 
cepted a  call,  April  7,  1807,  but  was  never  installed. 
This  relation  ceased  Nov.  22,  1813.  Robt.  Patton,  grand- 
father of  Gov.  R.  M.  Patton,  of  Alabama,  a  Mr.  Nickell, 
Andrew  Ballentine,  Andrew  Miller,  Jas.  Miller,  Jas. 
Alexander,  John  Cattle,  Thomas  Boyd  were  elders.  The 
building  of  the  Brick  Church  and  their  return  to  the 
Associate  Church  occurred  about  1819.  About  the  time 
they  are  craving  Synod  for  a  pastor,  Rev.  John  Wallace, 
a  young  Irish  licentiate,  embarks,  walks  the  gang  plank 
at  Philadelphia,  journeys  here  and  is  ordained  and  in- 
stalled June  28,  1824.  He  resigned  March  23,  1832. 
Early  after  licensure  in  Oct.,  1835,  Rev.  James  Dickson 
began  preaching  here  and  remained  two  years,  declining 
a  call  Jan.  9,  1837,  at  a  salary  of  $300  for  three-fourths 
time.  The  next  six  years  was  a  dark  period.  Occasional 
supplies  were  given  by  Dr.  Jas.  Patterson,  Rev.  Samuel 
McLean,  Dr.  H.  Thompson,  Rev.  John  Patrick  and  oth- 
ers. Rev.  L  G.  McLaughlin  preached  his  first  sermon 
here  July  21,  1844,  ^"d  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
Aug.  4,  1845.  Richard  Dickson,  Michael  Beamer,  G.  W. 
Nickell  w^ere  elders.  In  May  or  June,  1849,  there  was 
an  accession  of  some  57. 

Rev.  McLaughlin  demitted  May,  1856.  Rev.  A.  B. 
Beamer,  Dr.  R.  Lathan,  Rev.  M.  Oates  and  Rev.  John 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      533 

Simpson  ministered  in  holy  things  till  the  fall  of  Fort 
Sumter,  April,  1861.  Rev.  J.  H.  Peoples  escaped  through 
the  lines  of  the  war  in  Aug.,  1863,  and  spent  three  Sab- 
baths. After  the  war  clouds,  Dr.  W.  ]\1.  McElwee  spent 
two  Sabbaths  here,  Aug.,  1865,  and  he  and  Dr.  H. 
Thompson  held  a  meeting  of  Presbytery,  June,  1866,  and 
ordained  R.  A.  Patton  elder.  Rev.  J.  H.  Peoples  spent 
t\\^  Sabbaths,  beginning  July  22,  1866,  and  closely  fol- 
lowing. Rev.  L.  ]\IcDonald  three.  Rev.  J.  H.  Simpson 
resumed  work  June  2,  1867,  and  continued  supplying  till 
his  installation,  Aug.  28,  1869,  at  Salem  Presbyterian 
Church,  Lebanon  being  torn  down  with  the  purpose  of 
being  built  at  the  present  site. 

The  last  sermon  was  preached  at  the  brick  church, 
Aug.  15th,  1869;  the  new  church  was  dedicated  Nov.  6, 
1870. 

E.  F.  Patton,  J.  H.  Crawford,  B.  F.  Beamer,  J.  H.  Bal- 
lentine,  R.  A.  Boyd,  J.  F.  Cook  have  served  as  elders 
while  Newton  Dickson,  B.  F.  Hogshead,  J.  E.  Hogs- 
head, R.  O.  Patton  and  J.  E.  Crawford  and  G.  R.  Wil- 
liams constitute  the  present  session.  Rev.  Simpson  re- 
signed Oct.  3,  1891.  Fie  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  H. 
]\Ioffatt  about  Dec.  i,  1891.  whose  bright  prospects  were 
suddenly  clouded  by  his  renouncing  the  Protestant  re- 
ligion in  the  summer  of  1895.  Rev.  E.  E.  Patterson  be- 
gan labors  in  the  early  summer  of  1896,  and  closed  his 
work  Dec.  15,  1897.  From  July,  1898,  to  Nov.,  Revs. 
R.  C.  Davidson  and  J.  W.  McCain  supplied  and  Dec. 
18,  1898,  Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter  began  his  ministry  as  stated 
supply  and  still  continues  The  Auxiliaries,  especially 
the  Ladies'  Society,  Young  Ladies'  organization  and  Ju- 
nior Christian  Union,  bear  liberally  the  financial  obliga- 
tions of  the  congregation.  It  also  has  a  handsome  manse 
near  the  church. 

Nezc  Perth.  Iredell  Co.,  A".  C. — Organized  before  1790, 
possibly  as  a  result  of  the  labors  of  Dr.  Thomas  Clark, 


534 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


Rev.  John  Jamieson  and  others.  From  organization 
to  1811,  she  was  Hnked  with  and  made  the  same  effort 
for  supphes  and  pastoral  relation  as  Rocky  Springs  and 
New  Stirling".  In  1803  there  were  32  families.  Rev. 
Wm.  Blackstocks  was  stated  supply  from  1804  to  181 1. 
The  organization  of  Cambridge,  Associate,  out  of  her 
membership,  weakened  her  awhile,  but  she  being  supplied, 
grew  stronger  as  the  Associate  Presbytery  was  bereft  of 
her  ministry  by  removal,  and  saw  her  teacher  in  the 
young  and  faithful  Rev.  J.  G.  Witherspoon  ordained  and 
installed  Aug.  20,  1834.  His  early  and  lamented  death, 
Jan.  6,  1846,  terminated  this  pastorate.  During  his  min- 
istry, the  happy  union  between  the  Associate  and  the  As- 
sociate Reformed  Church  occurred  here  April  16,  1844. 
Some  four  years  after  this  vacancy,  there  came  a  brainy 
South  Carolina  licentiate,  nervy,  fiery  and  eloquent,  but 
fine  goods  put  up  in  a  small  package.  "Jury,  look  upon 
the  preacher."  "Preacher,  look  upon  the  jury."  "Like 
him"  "Yes."  Feb.  12,  185 1,  began  a  thirty-five  years' 
ministry,  laborious  and  long,  faithful  and  fertile.  In 
i860,  R.  White,  J.  Young,  J.  H.  Cavin,  Geo.  White,  John 
A.  White  and  W.  S.  Brown  were  elders.  In  1863,  John 
Davidson,  R.  S.  Brown,  S.  F.  Jones  and  Ephraim 
Scroggs. 

Dr.  J.  E.  Pressly's  able  pastorate,  ending  April  13, 
1886,  Rev.  T.  B.  Stewart  was  ordained  and  installed  Nov. 
19,  1887,  and  his  pastorate  closed  April  7,  1801.  During 
this  the  third  building  was  erected,  a  large  and  commodi- 
ous house.  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love  was  installed  Jan.,  1802, 
and  demitted  Oct.  30,  1900.  Rev.  E.  F.  Griffith  began 
labor  Nov.  25,  1900,  and  was  installed  May  27  following. 
He  continues  with  this  teachable  and  minister-reverenc- 
ing people.  Present  ruling  elders :  Alexander  Clark, 
W.  A.  Suther,  J.  M.  Hethcox,  N.  W.  Johnson. 

AvTC  Stirliiiij!;,  Iredell  Co.,  A^  C. — About  1775.  in  Octo- 
ber, when  the  messengers  of  war  were  ravasjino-,  a  min- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      535 


NEW    STIRLING,    N.    C. 

ister  of  peace  was  riding-  into  that  section  known  as 
Fourth  Creek.  For  something  Hke  a  year  this  ambassa- 
dor, Jas.  Martin,  itinerated  in  Mecklenburg,  Gaston  and 
Iredell  Counties,  N.  C.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Associate 
Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania,  Oct.  i6th,  1776,  there  came 
"two  petitions  from  4th  Creek  in  N.  Carolina,  craving  the 
settlement  of  Mr.  Martin  among  them."  This  call  Pres- 
bytery did  not  sustain,  because  of  inadequate  support. 
May  7th,  1777,  they  renewed  their  request,  and  Rev. 
Andrew  Patton  was  sent  that  summer.  For  a  year  or 
two,  during  the  ravages  of  the  Revolution,  now  trans- 
ferred South,  there  was  great  destitution.  Rev.  John 
Hemphill  was  licensed  May  27,  1794,  and  soon  after- 
ward started  on  a  tour  South  ;  visited  and  preached  here, 
as  he  was  called  May  27,  1795.  but  declined.  New  Stirl- 
ing was  organized  before  Feb.  24,  1790.  Rev.  \\m. 
Blackstocks  was  stated  sup])ly  from  1804  to  181 1. 

Some  time  before  the  close  of  his  ministry,  a  portion 
of  the  congregation  joined  the  Associate  Presbytery  of 
the  Carolinas.  and  organizing  at  the  present  site.  Rev. 
John  Mushat,  late  in  181 1.  was  installed.  This  brilliant 
ministrv  that  i^-omised  so  nmch  became  entangled  with 
the  affairs  of  this  world,  and  ended  far  from  exjKCtation, 
Tan..   i82v 


536      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

The  present  house  was  built  in  1834;  Hiram  Morrison 
was  arehitect.  It  was  ceiled  in  Dr.  JMillen's  ministry, 
lengthened  16  feet  in  1862,  and  overhauled  and  painted 
in  1887.  Robt.  Hogstan,  Wm.  Morrison,  Colin  Camp- 
bell, Jas.  and  David  Alexander,  Wm.  McLeod,  Forgus 
and  Jas.  Milligan,  Michael  Flack,  John  Scott,  Geo.  Gor- 
don, John  McLean,  Alex.  Matheson,  Jas.  McDaniel, 
Thomas  Morrison,  Jas.  McKay,  John  Moore  and  Wm. 
Miller  were  elders.  Rev.  Thomas  Wilson  and  Jas.  P. 
Ramsay  were  sent  south  in  the  winter  of  '33  and  summer 
of  "34,  and  doubtless  preached  here.  This  was  a  dark 
period.  The  Presbytery  was  greatly  reduced  by  the  re- 
moval of  her  ministry  North.  Notwithstanding  this,  in 
1835,  "Cambridge  and  New  Stirling,  N.  C,  have  made 
arrangements  for  taking  the  whole  time  of  a  special  mis- 
sionary from  Synod."  The  Associate  Synod,  May  30, 
1840,  suspended  Revs.  H.  Thompson  and  Archibald 
Whyte  because  they  declined  their  authority,  and  sent 
Rev.  T.  S.  Kendall  to  all  the  Associate  churches  South, 
in  order  to  reconcile  them  to  their  resolutions  on  slavery. 
He  visited  this  church  in  1840.  After  sermon  at  Smyrna, 
Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  he  was  taken  to  White  Oak,  Fairfield 
Co.,  and  humiliated.  This  unrighteous  act  severed  al! 
connection  with  the  Associate  Synod. 

Rev.  John  Patrick  was  licensed  1841.  and  frequently 
preached  here.  Dr.  S.  C.  Millen,  this  church  becoming 
a  part  of  the  First  Presbytery,  April  16,  1844,  was  in- 
stalled pastor  Nov.  8th,  1847,  preaching  his  first  sermon 
as  S.  S.  first  Sabbath  of  November,  1846,  and  resigned 
Sept.  9,  1853.  PTenry  McLain,  John  Scroggs,  Robert 
McKay,  John  Reynolds,  A.  M.  AA'alkcr,  Leander  Alex- 
ander, Hiram  Scroggs  and  Col.  J.  ?>.  White  ruling  elders, 

1847. 

Rev.  W.  B.  Pressly  was  ordained  and  installed  Nov.  9, 
1855,  and  dcmitted  .\pril  8th,  1878.  J.  Alston  Davidson, 
Henry  F.  Hunter,  J.  M.  Lewis,  D.  M.  Moore  and  Milas 
Bradv,  elders.     Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter  was  installed  Sept. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      537 

20,  1878,  and  demitted  Oct  2nd,  1888.  I.  A.  Johnson  and 
John  Miller  were  added  to  session.  Rev.  J.  C.  Boyd  was 
pastor,  June,  '91-Xov.  i,  '99.  In  the  early  fall  of  '91, 
there  was  a  gracious  revival  under  Dr.  W.  W.  Orr,  with 
99  additions.  Rev.  E.  F.  Griffith,  now  residing  in  their 
comfortable  parsonage,  was  installed  May  27,  1901,  hav- 
ing begun  labor  Nov.  25th  preceding.  J.  F.  Moore,  J.  F. 
Stewart,  W.  F.  Pressly,  J.  A.  Pope,  J.  S.  Moore  and  E. 
A.  Morrison,  present  session.  A.  M.  White,  H.  G.  Mor- 
rison, J.  M.  Miller  and  R.  L.  Bradford  are  deacons. 

John  McLean,  about  1876,  left  a  legacy  for  pastors' 
salary  of  $1,800.00.  New  Stirling  is  the  mother  of 
churches — Amity,  Elk  Shoal,  Statesville,  Hiddenite  and 
Taylorsville.  Elk  Shoal  Academy  from  '66-'76  did  a 
good  work  for  the  cause  of  education,  and  in  preparing 
young  men  for  the  ministry.  Ruling  elder.  Col.  J.  P. 
White,  was  hospitable  in  his  home,  wise  in  counsel, 
guarded  in  speech,  a  prince  in  prayer,  a  loyal  lover  of  his 
church,  and  a  frequent,  influential  member  of  her  judica- 
tories. 

Drs.  G.  R.  White  and  R.  G.  Miller,  and  Revs.  J.  M. 
McEain  and  Leon  T.  Pressly  are  sons  of  this  church. 

Nob  Creek,  Cleveland  Co.,  N.  C. — Appears  on  the  roll 
of  the  Second  Presbytery  at  her  organization,  April  8tli, 
1801,  asking  supply.  Revs.  Wm.  Dixon  and  James  Ma- 
gill  were  sent  that  year,  and  Revs.  Peter  IMcAIullen  and 
Robert  Irwin  also  gave  them  a  few  Sabbaths  the  next 
year.  Rev.  Isaac  Grier  visited  them  in  Sept.  About  this 
time  Nob  Creek,  in  connection  with  the  stations  of  Little 
Britain  and  Duncan's  Creek,  were  attached  to  and  sup- 
plied by  the  First  Presbytery. 

Doubtless  Rev.  ^^'m.  Dixon  ministered  at  long  and 
hungry  intervals,  as  this  vacancv  came  into  the  Associate 
Presbytery.  Rev.  Thomas  Kctchen's  first  sermon  in  the 
Carolinas  was  preached  here  possibly  in  the  spring  of 
1821,  as  was  his  last,  and  for  a  time  his  burial  place. 


538      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Rev.  Joseph  Banks,  possibly  about  1829,  began  preach- 
ing here.  He  was  subsequently  called,  in  connection 
with  Pisgah,  N.  C,  and  Bethany  and  Sardis,  S.  C,  and 
though  ordained  with  the  view  of  a  pastoral  settlement 
he  was  never  installed.  He  continued  as  stated  supply 
till  early  in  the  fall  of  1833.  In  1840,  there  were  11  fam- 
ilies and  20  members.  The  Boggs  family  were  loyal  and 
strong  supporters.  Dr.  E.  E.  Boyce  and  other  members 
of  the  First  Presbytery,  administered  there  the  word  of 
life.  The  congregation  has  long  been  without  officers, 
but  remained  a  preaching  station  till  about  1876. 


OLD    PKOVIDENCE,    VA. 


Old  Providence,  Augusta  Co.,  Va. — Very  early  after 
the  organization  of  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, many  in  this  valley  sought  of  her  supplies.  A  peti- 
tion was  sent  Oct.  12,  1762,  from  Augusta,  Va.  Revs. 
Wm.  Marshall  and  James  Martin  visited  them  in  1775  and 
1776;  Revs.  John  Murray  in  the  winter  and  Andrew  Pat- 
ton  in  the  summer  of  1777;  Revs.  John  Smith,  Aug., 
1778,  and  Jas.  Clarkson,  summer  1780.  A  petition,  Oct. 
10,  1780,  from  Tinkling  Spring,  Augusta  Co.,  Va..  "crav- 
ing supply  and  the  ordination  of  elders."  Delayed  for 
the  next  two  years,  as  were  all  the  \'irginia  petitions,  be- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      539 

cause  of  the  war  raging  in  those  parts.  Rev.  John  Smith 
is  to  write  "directing  them  to  a  suitable  exercise  in  their 
present  state  of  trial."  The  congregation  entered  the 
union  of  1782,  and  united  with  Timber  Ridge,  1783,  in 
calling  Rev.  John  Rodgers,  M.  D.  "These  churches  had 
evidently  existed  for  some  time  as  they  had  acquired  per- 
manence and  strength  sufficient  for  the  support  of  a  min- 
ister."— Dr.  Scouller.  This  antedated  the  introduction 
of  Watt's  Psalms  and  Hymns,  1789,  which  could  not 
have  occasioned  her  organization.  Doubtless  there  was 
secession  at  that  marked  and  far-reaching  innovation,  but 
the  defenders  of  the  inspired  Psalmody  found  a  congenial 
home  in  old  Providence.  New^  Providence  built  their  first 
church  near  a  fort,  to  protect  them  from  the  Indians,  and 
at,  or  near,  present  site  of  Old  Providence.  This  or 
some  other  shelter  was  used  by  the  congregation  under 
review.  Patrick  Hall,  the  grandfather  of  Cyrus  McCor- 
mick,  of  reaper  fame,  deeded  the  land,  Oct.  15th,  1793, 
to  Trustees  Jas.  McChesney,  Geo.  Campbell  and  others, 
on  which  was  built,  1793,  the  Stone  Church,  and  was 
very  zealous  and  liberal  in  erecting  the  house.  About  this 
time,  Aug.  20,  1792,  there  was  ordained  and  installed  their 
second  pastor.  Rev.  John  Young.  Dr.  John  Rodgers 
having  been  suspended  in  1790,  his  pastoral  relation 
ceased. 

Among  the  oldest  elders  were  James  !McClung,  Hugh 
Brownlee,  Samuel  Carson,  Elijah  Carson,  James  Rowan, 
Robt.  ^IcCormick.  Robert  Harris,  Jno.  Harris,  John 
McCutcheon,  Jas.  ]\IcChesney.  Rev.  John  Young,  an 
able  and  learned  minister,  resigned  in  the  summer  of 
1799.  ^^^  the  organization  of  the  General  Synod  this 
congregation  was  attached  to  the  Big  Spring  Presby- 
tery. There  were  then  158  members.  Rev.  Wm.  Adair, 
of  Irish  Rebellion  Romance,  was  ordained  and  accepted 
a  call  April  7,  1807,  but  not  installed.  He  ceased  his 
labors  here  .April  19,  1809.  "because  of  the  hundred  miles, 
three  mountains  and  six  rivers"  that  intervened  lietwcen 


540 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


this  and  Lebanon,  West  Va.  Occasional  supplies  were 
sent  for  a  number  of  years.  Rev.  Jas  Brown,  of  Tyrone, 
Ireland,  was  stated  supply  about  two  years,  ending  in 
1822.  In  1827,  Old  Providence  joined  the  Associate 
Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas.  Wm.  McCormick  and  Rob- 
ert Carson  were  in  1826  ordained  ruling  elders.  There 
came  South  a  New  Yorker  and  faced  a  people  in  Dec, 
1828,  destined  to  be  his  life  long  pastorate.  He  was 
called  Aug.  3rd,  1833,  and  ordained  and  installed  March, 
1834,  for  one-third  time,  Ebenezer  and  Timber  Ridge 
taking  the  remainder.  During  Rev.  H.  Thompson's  min- 
istry, April  16,  1844,  this  church,  together  with  all  the 
Associate  Presbyterians  of  Virginia,  came  into  connec- 
tion with  the  First  Presbytery  A.  R.  P.  Synod  of  the 
South. 

In  the  first  cemetery  stands  a  marble  monument  to  the 
memory  of  Robert  McCormick,  who  died  July  4th,  1846. 
He  and  wife  were  for  a  time  members  and  all  their  chil- 
dren were  baptized  in  the  stone  church,  including  Cyrus 
H.  McCormick.]  The  coping  on  the  stone  wall  of  the 
cemetery  was  donated  by  this  family  at  an  expense  of 
some  $1,300. 

The  present  brick  building  was  completed  in  1859,  at 
a  cost  of  $2,754.00.  Elder  J.  H.  Callison  was  specially 
zealous  and  active  in  the  work,  and  Elijah  Carson  gave 
the  largest  contribution,  $500.00,  and  the  largest  propor- 
tion of  the  site.  Dr.  Thompson's  semi-centennial  of  his 
first  sermon  was  celebrated  May  17,  1880.  Very  soon 
afterward  he  began  to  ask  for  an  assistant.  Feb.  6,  1881, 
Rev.  S.  W.  Haddon,  a  young  licentiate,  began  his  minis- 
try in  this  capacity.  Dr.  Thompson's  death  at  a  full  age, 
like  "as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  in  his  season,"  May 
6th,  1882,  opened  the  way  for  the  young  brother  to  be 
installed  April  19th,  1883.  He  is  still  pastor  and  the 
church  is  growing  under  his  administration. 

Old  Providence  is  noted  for  her  generous  and  enter- 
prising people.     Among  them  was  James  Carson,  who 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      541 

willed  $1,000  to  Erskine  College,  Jas.  H.  Callison  and 
Wm.  Lusk.  Two  of  the  oldest  active  elders  are  N.  D. 
McCormick  and  A.  G.  Brown.  The  former  gave  two 
sons  to  the  ministry,  Revs.  J.  C.  and  C.  D.  McCormick. 
Times  of  refreshing  came,  1889,  under  Dr.  W.  W.  Orr, 
when  59,  and  in  1892  under  Revs.  E.  F.  Griffith  and  W. 
A.  ]\I.  Plaxco,  when  29,  and  1898  under  Rev.  J.  S. 
Moffatt,  when   17  professed  conversion. 

The  X'alley  High  School,  using  the  old  Stone  Church, 
was  organized  under  the  auspices  of  Old  Providence  in 
1887.  The  school  has  done  a  good  work.  A  large  and 
comfortable  parsonage  was  erected  in  1886,  at  a  cost  of 
$2,000. 

Olivet,  S.  C. — Olivet  church  was  situated  in  York  Co., 
S.  C,  near  where  the  town  of  [NlcConnellsville  now  is. 
It  was  organized  by  the  First  Presbytery  in  1843,  although 
there  was  preaching  there  before  that  time.  Rev.  R.  A. 
Ross,  D.  D.,  was  installed  pastor  in  1843.  Dr.  Ross  had 
charge  of  Olivet  in  connection  with  Sharon  and  Smyrna, 
and  the  joint  service  of  installation  was  held  at  Sharon 
on  Dec.  6th,  1843. 

It  seems  that  the  church  building  there  was  for  the  con- 
venience of  the  different  denominations  living  in  the 
vicinity,  and  many  of  the  friends  and  supporters  of  the 
congregation,  and  who  attended  on  Dr.  Ross'  ministry 
were  not  members  of  the  A.  R.  Church.  Dr.  Ross  con- 
tinued to  preach  there  until  after  the  Civil  War.  The 
w-ar  and  its  results  fell  very  heavily  on  that  community, 
and  after  the  war  the  few  remaining  told  Dr.  Ross  that 
they  were  obliged  to  let  him  discontinue  preaching  there. 
The  members  were  absorbed  in  the  surrounding  churches, 
and  it  ceased  to  be  an  A.  R.  church.         , 

Oothcaloga,  (Cass)  nozi'  Bartozc  Co.,  Ga. — Rev.  D.  C. 
Haslet,  pastor  Jan.  27,  '44- April  10,  '46,  was  visited  oc- 
casionally by  Revs.   A.   McElroy  and  Thomas  Turner, 


542 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


and  passed  from  the  roll  in  the  early  stages  of  the  Civil 
War. 

Orleans.  Citrus  Co.,  Fla. — This  church  was  organized 
by  Rev.  C.  S.  Young,  Jan.  27,  1886,  with  twelve  mem- 
bers, in  a  school  building  at  Arlington,  five  miles  north 
of  Orleans.  Another  branch  of  the  same  congregation 
was  organized  May,  1888,  at  Orleans,  with  14  members. 
The  elders  were  M.  B.  Van  Ness  and  M.  D.  Bell  and  I. 
W.  Ogle. 

Rev.  C.  S.  Young  was  the  only  preacher  the  congrega- 
tion ever  had  He  continued  the  work  with  more  or  less 
interruption  until  Jan.,  1901,  when  he  removed  to  Ken- 
tucky. 

The  school  building  at  Arlington  was  used  for  preach- 
ing until  1895,  when  it  changed  to  Hernando,  a  new  R. 
R.  town,  two  miles  further  North.  The  entire  member- 
ship never  exceeded  22  in  this  branch  of  the  work  . 

x-\t  Orleans  the  school  building  was  used  until  1890, 
when  the  new  church  began  to  be  used.  The  first  sermon 
was  preached  in  it  by  Rev.  J.  N.  Young-,  April  6th,  1890. 
The  church,  however,  was  not  completed  until  the  fol- 
lowing year.  The  dedication  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  E.  P.  McClintock,  April  17th,  1892.  The  entire 
membership  in  this  branch  of  the  work  never  exceeded 
25,  making  a  total  of  45  members. 

The  purpose  in  the  organization  in  Florida,  was  to 
collect  in  one  place  and  form  an  A.  R.  Presbyterian  con- 
gregation of  people  of  that  faith  and  practice  who  desired 
to  locate  in  that  State.  But  it  was  found  to  be  impracti- 
cable, if  not  impossible,  to  concentrate  them  at  any  one 
point,  and  make  a  permanent  location. 

The  changes  in  the  climate,  by  which  their  orange 
groves  were  killed,  and  the  discovery  of  Phosphate  de- 
posits, which  brought  in  large  numbers  of  undesirable 
laborers,  caused  the  people  to  seek  other  locations, — most 
of  them  movine  to  other  States.     The  work  was  aban- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      543 

doned  and  the  church  property  sold  in  1900,  by  order  of 
Second  Presbytery.  The  church  furniture  was  shipped  to 
CHnton,  S.  C,  to  be  used  in  the  new  church  there.  The 
church  building  was  sold  and  the  money  paid  to  Church 
Extension  Fund. 

Orrvillc,  Ala. — Was  organized  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Lowry,  in 
August,  1889,  by  the  authority  of  the  Tennessee  and  Ala- 
bama Presbytery.  Its  membership  was  originally  made 
up  from  Prosperity,  Ala.  It  has  had  but  two  pastors, 
Rev.  J.  A.  Lowry,  who  was  installed,  it  is  supposed,  soon 
after  the  organization  and  continued  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  April  6,  1898 ;  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  A. 
Blakely.  who  was  installed  May  21,  1900,  and  this  rela- 
tion still  exists.  About  one-fourth  of  his  time  is  given 
to  this  field. 

Orrville  has  had  but  one  church  building,  erected,  prob- 
ably, soon  after  the  organization. 

Patton's  Vale,  Buncombe  Co.,  N.  C. — Was  organized 
prior  to  18 19,  by  Associate  Presbytery  Carolinas,  and 
disappeared  about  1822.  This  with  French  Broad  and 
Head  of  Catawba,  had  in  1819,  50  families.  74  members 
and  103  catecumens. 

Patterson's  Mills,  JVashington  Co.,  Pa. — There  were 
some  in  this  section  who  were  opposed  to  the  policy  of 
the  government  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war.  Feeling 
grieved  by  their  treatment,  they  applied  to  Rev.  W.  M. 
McElwee,  pastor  of  Ebenezer  A.  R.  church.  Rockbridge 
Co.,  Va..  He  visited  and  organized  this  congregation  a 
short  time  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  Mr.  Wm.  J. 
Patterson  was  a  prominent  elder  and  a  delegate  to  Synod 
in  1868.  Rev.  J.  A.  Myers  began  labors  in  the 
summer  of  1870,  and  was  installed  pastor  in  the 
spring  of  1871.  He  resigned  in  1881.  in  anticipation  of 
this  congregation  returning  to  the  United  Presbyterian 
church,  which  it  did  May  30,  1881. 


544 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


Piedmont,  Macon  Co.,  N.  C. — It  was  situated  near 
Franklin,  the  county  seat,  and  was  organized  about  1825, 
by  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  the  CaroHnas,  and  sup- 
pHed  by  this  body.  In  1840,  there  were  seven  famihes 
and  15  members.  Rev.  John  Patrick  visited  them  in  1846 
but  found  them  disorganized. 

Perry's  Church,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C. — -Perry's  Church, 
in  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  ws  supplied  by  Rev.  Thos.  Ketchin 
as  early  as  1840,  and  appears  on  the  roll  as  a  vacancy  in 
1843.  The  minutes  of  the  First  Presbytery  show  that  it 
was  supplied  with  preaching  with  some  regularity  until 
about  186 1,  when  it  disappears  from  the  roll. 

Philadelphia,  Fla. — When  Rev.  J.  C.  Chalmers  reor- 
ganized Pleasant  Grove,  Decatur  Co.,  Ga.,  "thirteen  of 
those  who  entered  this  organization  were  formerly  in 
communion  at  the  Old  Philadelphia  church,  Fla."  Some 
time  before  '2,7  organized.  Rev.  J.  McCreary  found  ten 
families  in  area  25  miles,  and  preached  Dec,  '38.  Rev. 
J.  C.  Chalmers  in  '39. 

Pine  Barren,  Wilcox  Co.,  Ala. — Appears  on  the  roll 
of  1830  as  a  vacancy  of  the  Second  Presbytery.  When 
it  ceased  to  exist  we  do  not  know. 

Pine  Log,  (Cass)  nozv  Bartozv  Co.,  Ga. — On  the  roll, 
'43,  a  small  vacancy,  supplied  by  Georgia  Presbytery. 

Pin  Oak,  in  Milam  Co.,  Te.vas. — Was  organized  by 
R  V.  J.  M.  Little,  July  8,  1889,  with  ten  members.  They 
united  with  Cedar  Creek  in  1893  in  forming  the  church 
at  Milano. 

Pisgah,  Gaston  Co.,  N.  C. — "The  people  who  first  set- 
tled this  region  came  from  near  Gettysburg,  Pa.  They 
were  all   Scotch-Irish,  who  had  left  Scotland  that  they 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


545 


PISGAH,    N.    C. 

might  enjoy  the  privilege  of  worshippjng  God  in  accord- 
ance with  the  teachings  of  the  Scriptures.  From  Ireland 
they  came,  or  rather  fled,  to  x\merica.  They  had  been 
but  a  short  time  in  America  until  they  incurred  the  last- 
ing resentment  of  the  red  man.  From  the  savage  at- 
tacks of  the  red  man  they  fled  from  Pennsylvania  to  the 
hills  of  Gaston  and  Cleveland  counties,  N.  C.  The  set- 
tlement in  the  region  of  Pisgah  Church  was  begun  about 
1750.  These  early  settlers  were  joined  previous  to  the 
Revolutionary  War  by  other  families,  some  direct  from 
Ireland,  and  some  from  Ireland,  by  way  of  Pennsylvania. 
It  was  not,  perhaps,  until  after  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War  that  these  early  pioneers  organized  them- 
selves into  a  church."  In  the  regions  of  King's  Moun- 
tain, where  patriotism  so  successfully  contested  for  civil 
liberty  in  1780,  religious  liberty  too  had  her  triumphs. 

Prior  to  1793,  all  the  Presbyterians  in  that  section  wor- 
shipped either  at  Bcersheba,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  or  at  Long 
Creek,  Lincoln  Co.,  N.  C.  The  introduction  of  human 
composition  in  the  worship  of  God  was  such  a  marked 
innovation  that  a  respectable  minority  sought  as  their 
only  hope  connection  with  the  Associate  Reformed  Pres- 
bvterv.     Andrew  Furgeson  and  John  Miller  arc  therefore 


35 


546  SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

commissioned  to  a  meeting  of  this  body  on  Black  River, 
S.  C.  In  response,  Rev.  James  Rogers  first  visited  the 
Psahii-singing  members  at  Beersheba. 

The  following  were  active  in  attempting  to  keep  God's 
word  sung  in  God's  house :  Francis  Henry,  William 
McElwee,  Sr.,  his  sons,  John  and  William,  William  Hen- 
ry, Alexander  Henry,  James  Henry,  James  Crawford, 
Wm.  Crawford,  Francis  Rea,  James  Dunn  and  Joseph 
Carroll.  These  worshipped  for  some  two  years  at  the 
head  of  Crowder's  Creek,  on  the  south  base  of  the  pin- 
nacle of  King's  Mountain  in  N.  C,  on  the  Furgeson 
place.  A  small  log  house  was  erected.  This  church 
united  with  Sharon  and  Carmel,  York  Co.,  S.  C,  and 
called  Rev.  William  Dixon,  who  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled June  5th,  1797.  This  log  church  about  that  time 
became  the  mother  of  two  daughters,  named  Bethany 
and  Pisgah,  the  mother  giving  up  her  life  at  their  birth. 
Bethany,  about  1796,  erected  a  stand  on  the  present  lo- 
cation. Pisgah,  a  twin  daughter,  selected  a  spot  about 
four  miles  east  of  the  town  of  King's  Mountain.  The 
first  burial  was  Jean  Blackwood,  who  died  March  11, 
1797.  The  deed  was  made  Feb.  2,  1801,  and  signed  in 
the  presence  of  John  Kennedy,  Jr.,  John  Venables,  Rob- 
ert Adams  and  Gilbreath  Falls.  Trustees :  James  Black- 
wood, Thomas  Blackwood,  John  Falls,  James  Falls,  John 
Oates,  James  Furgeson,  Samuel  Blackwood  and  Thomas 
Dickson.  Ten  acres  were  deeded  for  $28.50,  while  they 
or  any  part  of  them  adhered  to  the  Westminster  Confes- 
sion of  Faith. 

About  1803,  this  congregation,  with  the  pastor.  Rev. 
William  Dixon,  left  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  and  helped  or- 
ganize the  Associate  Presbytery  of  the  CaroHnas.  In 
1819  his  whole  charge  had  150  families  and  350  mem- 
bers. After  a  long  and  useful  ministry,  he  resigned  Pis- 
gah with  the  other  churches  March  26th,  1828. 

About  this  time,  Sharon,  being  detached  to  f(^rm  a  part 
of  Dr.  W.  M.  McElwee's  charge,  Rev.  Joseph  Banks  was 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       547 

called  March  20,  1830,  to  Bethany  and  Sardis,  S.  C,  and 
Xob  Creek  and  Pisgah,  X.  C,  four  churches  in  four 
counties  and  two  States.  Ordained  by  Carolinas  Presby- 
tery, Oct.  15th.  1 83 1,  with  a  view  to  installation,  which 
for  some  reason  did  not  occur,  and  removed  in  the  early 
fall  of  1833,  having  served  as  stated  supply  some  three 
years.  Soon  afterwards  this  congregation,  with  a  num- 
ber of  others  in  that  region,  returned  to  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church.  They  were  supplied  by  the  First  Pres- 
bytery till  Rev.  R.  C.  Grier  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  June  i,  1841,  and  remained  till  Dec.  2nd,  1847, 
when  his  Synod  called  him  to  preside  over  Erskine  Col- 
lege. Rev.  E.  E.  Boyce  was  ordained  and  installed  pas- 
tor June  28th,  1849.  Increasing  in  ability  and  numbers, 
two  congregations  were  formed  Sept.  6,  1855,  one  taking 
the  name  of  X^ebo,  some  distance  X'.  ^^^  of  King's  Moun- 
tain, the  other  retaining  the  name  and  locating  at  the 
present  site.  Dr.  E.  E.  Boyce  demitted  Sept.  25th,  1893, 
to  take  effect  last  Sabbath  of  the  year.  It  was  happily  ar- 
ranged that  the  eloquent  and  earnest  Dr.  J.  C.  Galloway 
had  been  secured  to  succeed  the  first  Sabbath  of  the  next 
year,  his  installation  taking  place  March  17,  1894.  and  his 
demission  Jan.  i,  1901.  Rev.  A.  T.  Lindsay,  the  present 
pastor,  was  ordained  and  installed  Sept.  27,  1901.  Pis- 
gah has  handsomely  entertained  Synod  twice,  1872  and 
1902,  a  privilege  rarely  accorded  in  these  latter  times. 

Pleasant  Groz'c,  Decatur  Co  ,  Za. — Southwestern  Geor- 
gia and  Xorthwestem  Florida  was  visited  about  1830  by 
Rev.  J.  L.  Pressly.  Revs.  J.  M.  McCreary  spent  two 
Sabbaths  in  May.  "37 ;  J.  C.  Chalmers  a  while,  '39 ;  J.  S. 
Pressly,  three  Sabbaths.  Jan..  "42.  A  church  was  organ- 
ized by  one  of  these  or  some  other.  Rev.  J.  C.  Chalmers 
reorganized  it,  Dec,  '44,  and  spent  1 1  weeks  in  that  re- 
gion. Revs.  D.  F.  TIaddon,  D.  P.  Robinson,  J.  S.  Pressly 
and  J.  T  Bonner  supplied  for  a  short  time  each.     Rev.  A. 


548       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

]\IcElroy  was  pastor  May  i,  1847,  fall — 1858.  Rev.  M. 
Oates  was  supply  Oct.,  '60, -Oct.,  "61,  and  received  $372. 
J.  Gibson,  D.  McGinnis  and  Geo.  Boyce  were  ruling  el- 
ders, Thomas  Wighams  a  prominent  member.  Passed 
into  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  after  the  Civil 
War,  with  the  distinct  understanding  that  the  inspired 
Psalmody  should  not  be  disturbed  while  one  member  de- 
sired it.     Mrs.  R.  G.  Chestnut  remains  that  one. 

Pleasant  Hill,  Obion  Co.,  Tenii. — Located  six  miles 
east  of  Troy,  and  two  miles  west  of  Rives,  has  been  a 
place  of  preaching  from  an  early  day  in  the  history  of  this 
country.  A  union  church  was  built  here,  and  for  many 
years  a  monthly  appointment  was  filled  by  the  pastor  of 
the  Associate  Reformed  church  at  Troy. 

The  organization  of  an  Associate  Reformed  Presbyte- 
rian church  was  formed  there  by  Rev.  T.  P.  Pressly, 
November  i8th,  1882,  with  13  members.  E.  A.  McCaw, 
T.  B.  MofTatt  and  J.  H.  McCaw  were  elected  Elders.  Reg- 
ular services  were  continued  at  this  place  until  the  con- 
gregation decided  to  build  at  Rives,  and  to  move  the 
organization  to  that  place.  This  was  consummated,  the 
church  at  Rives  being  dedicated  in  January,  1888,  and 
services  discontinued  at  Pleasant  Hill.  (See  sketch  of 
Rives,  Tenn.,   for  further  history.) 

Pleasant  Hill. — Pleasant  Hill  church  is  situated  in  Lan- 
caster Co.,  S.  C,  and  is  on  the  Southern  Railway,  be- 
tween Lancaster  and  Camden.  It  was  organized  by  the 
First  Presbytery  in  Dec,  1899.  Previous  to  its  organiza- 
tion. Revs.  W.  C.  Ewart  and  J.  L.  Oates  preached  there  \ 
occasionally  and  through  their  efforts  the  church  was 
organized.  The  church  building  at  Buford  Monument 
was  taken  down  and  removed  to  this  place. 

Rev.  J.  L.  Oates  supplied  the  church  from  its  organiza- 
tion until  March,  1900. 

Rev.  J.  M.  White  supplied  the  church  from  May,  1900, 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


549 


until  he  was  installed  pastor  in  October  of  the  same  year. 
Mr.  White  is  still  pastor.  The  elders  of  the  church  are 
S.  Beckham,  W.  A.  Marshall,  and  R.  M.  Kirk,  and  the 
deacons  are  J-  M-  Caskey.  John  K.  Beckham,  and  W.  S. 
Kirk. 

Pleasant  Plains,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn. — Is  the  original 
name  of  Blanche,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 

Pleasant  ]^ alley. — Nothing  is  known  of  this  place. 
Nothing  in  the  records  of  Presbytery  to  indicate  that  it 
was  an  organization.  It  is  presumed  it  was  for  a  period 
of  time  a  preaching  point,  but  who  preached  there,  and 
when,  and  even  its  location  is  unknown. 

Point  Pleasant. — West  Virginia  became  under  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Myers,  from  about  1872  to 
1 88 1,  when  she  returned  to  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church. 


Polk  A.  R.  Church. — Is  a  station  on  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral in  Obion  Co..  Tenn.,  and  derived  its  name  from  the 
fact  that  two  families  of  this  name  lived  there  and  owned 


550 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


the  land  near.  For  a  number  of  years  Rev.  T.  P.  Pressly 
of  Troy,  four  miles  distant,  preached  here  once  a  month, 
on  Sabbath  afternoons,  in  a  school  house.  During  the 
year  1900,  a  church  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $1,300.00,  which 
was  dedicated  Sept.  30tli,  1900.  Those  who  went  into 
the  organization  were  enrolled  March  the  31st,  1900,  and 
the  following  officers  were  elected.  Elder:  J.  B.  Bu- 
chanan and  W.  J.  Erwin.  Deacons :  Samuel  G.  Erwin 
and  W.  J.  Caskey.  These  officers  were  installed  April 
14th,  1 90 1. 

In  order  to  secure  more  preaching  and  another  laborer 
in  the  fields,  the  sessions  of  Troy,  Rives  and  Polk  met  in 
joint  session  and  agreed  that  the  last  two  be  allowed  to 
form  a  pastoral  charge,  if  suitable  arrangements  could 
be  made.  The  services  of  Rev.  E.  P.  Lindsay  were  se- 
cured and  he  began  work  here  January  ist,  1902.  He 
was  very  acceptable  to  the  people  and  he  was  installed 
pastor  Dec.  6th,  1903,  by  Revs.  J.  W.  Baird  and  T.  P. 
Pressly,  at  Rives  in  the  morning  and  at  Polk  that  night. 
There  has  been  steady  growth  since  the  organization. 
Ross  Brown  and  Wm.  R.  Lancaster  were  ordained  el- 
ders, and  David  Guy  and  W.  S.  Smith,  deacons  in  1904. 

A  flourishing  Sabbath  school  is  kept  up  and  a  Ladies' 
Society  numbering  fourteen. 

Poplar  Spring,  Go. — Organized  before  1790. 

Prairie  J\illcy,  in  Jolnisfon  Co.,  Texas. — Was  organ- 
ized by  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  in  1879,  with  nine  members, 
James  and  Samuel  Turner  and  Henry  Wilbanks  being 
elected  elders.  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  supplied  them  once 
a  month,  until  Oct.,  1880.  The  church  was  then  disor- 
ganized by  the  removal  of  most  of  the  members. 

Prairie  Jl'ew,  near  Buekliolf.  in  Milam  Co.,  Te.vas. — 
Was  organized  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Little,  July  29,  1894,  with 
T5   members.      Most  of  the  members  came   from   Long 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


OD' 


Cane,  S.  C,  among  whom  were  Bickets,  Burnets  and 
Ethridges.  They  were  suppHed  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Pressly, 
in  1895.  and  Rev.  Calvin  Pressly,  in  1896.  That  year 
they  united  with  Milano  in  formin":  the  church  at  Mar- 
\o\x. 

Pottsvillc. — In  October,  1851,  nine  or  ten  families 
emigrated  from  the  A.  R.  P.  churches  about  King's 
Mountain,  N.  C,  to  the  west.  They  travelled  in  their 
wagons  many  weeks,  but  located  as  a  colony  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  Pope  Co.,  Ark.,  in  the  beautiful  and  fertile 
valley  of  the  Arkansas  River.  They  soon  began  to  send 
1)ack  appeals  for  preaching-.  Rev.  John  Patrick  came  to 
them  in  Nov..  1852.  and  spent  13  w'eeks  among  them. 
He  organized  a  church  Jan.  29,  1853,  and  they  named 
it  Pisgah.  Thirty  members  were  enrolled.  John  Oates, 
John  Falls,  and  James  Quinn  were  elected  elders.  They 
had  been  elders  in  North  Carolina.  Rev.  J.  K.  Boyce 
preached  to  them  in  the  summer  of  1853  and  '04.  Rev. 
John  Patrick  settled  in  the  bounds  of  Pisgah  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1855.  and  was  stated  supply  until  1859,  when 
Rev.  J.  L.  McDaniel  took  up  the  work  for  some  months. 
Others  had  come  out  from  North  Carolina  and  the  mem- 
bership increased  to  about  125.  Rev.  David  Kerr  came 
to  them  in  i860,  and  supplied  the  church  till  May,  1863. 
Sectional  feeling  ran  high  during  the  Civil  War,  and  the 
peace  of  the  community  was  nuich  disturbed  by  it. 
These  were  not  years  of  religious  growth.  Rev.  John 
Patrick  supplied  the  church  until  the  arrival  of  Rev.  M. 
Oates.  in  Dec,  '67.  Mr.  Oates  was  installed  pastor  the 
5th  Monday  in  -Aug.,  '68.  The  Session  was  composed 
of  the  following:  A.  N.  Falls,  Jas.  McElwee,  Alex. 
Dickey,  S.  B.  Dickey.  R.  11.  Dickey.  'V .  M.  Oates  and 
Thomas  Oates.  These  were  trying  times  in  the  history 
of  the  church.  Frequent  cases  of  discipline  called  for 
tact  and  patience.  But  the  faithful  and  diligent  dis- 
charge of  duly  |)n)\-ed  a  blessing  to  the  church.    The  con- 


552 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


gregation  having  drifted  toward  the  river,  another  place 
of  preaching-  was  estabhshed.  This  resulted  in  the  build- 
ing of  a  new  church,  which  was  occupied  in  1877,  '^''^^ 
called  Bethany.  The  strength  of  the  congregation  was 
concentrated  about  Bethany  and  a  point  on  the  L.  R.  & 
Ft.  S.  R.  R.  called  Potts'  Station,  and  later  Pottsville. 
It  was  agreed  to  erect  a  church  at  this  place.  The  building 
cost  $1,000.  The  first  services  in  the  new  church  at 
Pottsville  was  held  the  first  Sabbath  in  March,  1884.  Af- 
ter this,  preaching  at  Pisgah  was  discontinued  and  the 
pastor  divided  his  time  equally  between  Bethany  and 
Pottsville,  which  are  about  three  miles  apart.  There  has 
been  a  heavy  drain  on  the  congregation  by  frequent  re- 
movals, principally  to  Zion,  Russellville,  Little  Rock  and 
Texas.  In  1893  the  congregation  purchased  a  property 
for  a  parsonage,  conveniently  located  in  Pottsville,  at  the 
cost  of  $600.  This  was  the  first  parsonage  owned  by 
any  congregation  in  the  Presbytery.  On  account  of 
failing  health  Mr.  Oates  resigned  his  pastoral  charge 
in  1899  to  take  effect  at  the  end  of  the  year.  The  church 
had  125  members  and  was  in  good  working  condition. 
Thomas  Oates,  C.  G.  Oates,  W.  P.  Ferguson,  C.  S.  Bell 
and  J.  H.  Oates  composed  the  Session.  About  a  year 
later  J.  D.  Oates,  S.  E.  Oates  and  J.  G.  Ferguson  were 
elected  and  ordained  elders.  Rev.  J.  W.  Carson  begun 
his  labors  here  in  July,  1900,  and  was  installed  pastor 
Nov.  6  following.  This  has  been  a  happy  settlement. 
The  church  has  prospered,  growing  in  numbers  and  in 
activity  in  the  work  of  Sabbath  Schools,  Ladies'  and 
Young  Peoples'  Societies,  and  Junior  LTnions. 

Prosperity,  Lincoln  Co.,  Tenn.,  is  about  11  miles  south 
of  Fayetteville.  The  first  settlement  of  Associate  Re- 
formed Presbyterians  was  about  the  year  1827,  and  they 
came  from  Abbeville,  Chester  and  Fairfield  Counties,  S. 
C.  The  organization  was  effected  in  the  fall  of  1827  or 
spring  of  1828  by  Revs.  John  Renwick  and  TIenry  Bry- 
son  bv  order  of  the  Tennessee  Presbvterv. 


SKETCHES  OF  COxXGREGATIOXS.  553 

Rev.  Henry  Bryson  was  installed  pastor  May  17,  1828, 
and  served  the  congregation  until,  on  account  of  failing 
health,  he  was  forced  to  resign,  April,  1847.  Rev.  A. 
S.  Sloan  became  pastor  in  1847,  very  soon  after  the  resig- 
nation of  Rev.  Dr.  Bryson.  Just  when  this  pastorate 
terminated  is  not  stated.  Rev.  J.  B.  Muse  became  pas- 
tor Oct.  31,  1874.  In  May,  1889,  Rev.  O.  Y.  Bonner 
became  pastor,  resigning  June  ist,  1891,  to  accept  call 
to  Due  West,  S.  C.  Rev.  A.  J.  Ranson  was  installed 
Nov.  10,  1895,  and  resigned  Nov.,  1901.  Rev.  J.  B. 
Hood  was  sent  immediately  after  this  as  supply,  and  on 
July  5,  1902,  was  installed  pastor  and  continues  to  serve. 

Between  the  pastorate  of  Revs.  ^luse  and  Bonner  a 
vacancy  of  one  and  a  half  years  occurred,  during  which 
time  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Revs.  J.  A.  Myers  and 
H.  B.  Blakely.  After  Rev.  Bonner  resigned  the  congre- 
gation was  vacant  for  a  year  or  two,  and  was  supplied  by 
Revs.  J.  M.  Garrison.  W.  B.  Logan  and  W.  S.  Castles. 

Prosperity  has  had  three  houses  of  worship.  The  first 
was  a  log  house  built  in  1828  and  used  for  some  time 
with  only  the  dirt  floor.  During  a  protracted  meeting 
one  summer  this  log  house  was  too  small  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  congregation,  and  they  went  to  a  grove 
in  the  graveyard.  While  they  were  preaching  in  the  grave- 
yard some  young  people  got  together  and  danced  in  the 
log  church  without  floor.  When  they  got  through  danc- 
ing the  boys  decided  to  have  some  fun  at  Dr.  Bryson's 
expense,  and  sent  for  him  to  come  in  the  church  to  talk 
with  a  young  man  (pretending  to  be)  under  conviction 
of  sin  and  seeking  for  light.  Dr.  Bryson  came  and  found 
the  young  man  crying  and  feigning  deep  penitence.  At 
once  divining  the  situation  he  ordered  the  boys  all  to 
their  knees  and  to  prayer.  Having  done  this  Dr.  Bry- 
son began  the  prayer  by  asking  God  to  convert  the  young 
man  if  his  penitence  was  sincere,  but  if  not  sincere  to 
strike  him  dead  at  once.  The  young  man  jumped  up  in 
great  fright  and  got  away.     A  few  days  later  he  came  to 


554 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


Dr.  Brvson,  saying  in  earnest  he  was  converted  and 
joined  the  church. 

In  1 84 1  and  1842  a  new  church  was  built  52  ft.  square. 
This  was  burnt  by  an  incendiary.  He  evidently  had  some 
regard  for  the  pulpit  Bible,  as  it  was  removed  from  the 
pulpit  and  laid  on  the  fence  at  a  safe  distance.  The  third 
house  was  erected  in  1881  and  1882.  It  is  a  good  frame 
building  40x60  feet. 

In  this  latter  house  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr  conducted  a  re- 
vival in  which  67  souls  were  added  to  the  church. 

The  following  ministers  have  gone  out  from  Pros- 
perity :  James  M.  Brown,  to  the  G.  A.  P.  Church.  To 
the  A.  R.  P.  Church,  Thomas  Parkinson,  G.  G.  Parkin- 
son, of  Erskine  Seminary,  and  J  W.  Good. 

Prosperity,  Dallas  Co.,  Ala.,  is  located  at  Harrell's 
Station  on  S.  R.  R.  It  was  organized  some  time  during 
the  year  1822  by  the  Alabama  Presbytery.  In  the  early 
history  of  the  church  it  was  supplied  by  Dr.  Henry  Bry- 
son.  It  enjoyed  also  the  services  of  Dr.  Isaac  Grier. 
There  were  also  other  supplies  for  short  periods. 

Rev.  J.  P.  Pressly  was  the  first  pastor,  and  was  called 
and  presumably  installed  over  the  church  in  1831.  About 
the  year  1838  or  1839  1^^  was  elected  a  professor  in  Ers- 
kine College  and  was  released  from  his  pastoral  charge 
to  enter  upon  his  new  work.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
Joseph  McCreary,  who  was  installed  sometime  in  the  fall 
of  1839,  and  continued  until  the  fall  of  1843.  This  same 
year  Rev.  J.  M.  Young  was  installed  and  this  relation 
continued  until  his  death  in  May,  1867.  Rev.  J.  A. 
Lowry  was  installed  about  August  of  that  year  and  con- 
tinued to  labor  until  his  death,  April  6,  1898,  a  period  of 
nearly  31  years — -  a  long  and  useful  pastorate.  The  pres- 
ent pastor.  Rev.  W.  A.  Blakely,  was  installed  Dec.  9, 
1899,  and  labors  with  great  efficiency  and  acceptance. 
He  preaches  three-fourths  time  here,  the  other  pastorate 
receiving  the  remainder. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


3:)0 


Prosperity  has  had  three  houses  of  worship.  The  first 
was  a  log  house,  erected  soon  after  organization  and  oc- 
cupied for  20  years.  The  second  house  was  buih  in  1844, 
and  the  third  was  erected  in  1871. 

Prosperity  has  given  two  ministers  to  the  world,  Revs. 
J.  W.  Moore  and  J.  H.  Moore,  the  former  being  a  great 
uncle  of  the  latter.  Rev.  J-  H.  Moore  is  now  pastor  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  West  Aliddletown, 
Pennsylvania.  While  none  of  her  members  have  attained 
special  prominence  in  the  world,  yet  quite  a  number  have 
been  successful  and  useful  in  church  and  commimity  as 
physicians,  merchants,  farmers  and  teachers. 

Prosperity  is  near  the  center  of  Fulton  Co.,  in  north 
Arkansas.  Its  first  members  came  from  Tennessee  and 
Georgia.  They  were  visited  by  Rev.  M.  Oates  in  1858, 
and  by  Rev.  John  Patrick,  perhaps  at  an  earlier  date. 
The  church  was  organized  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Aloffatt  Au- 
gust 12,  1859,  with  32  members.  W.  R.  Chesnut  and 
W.  A.  Gault  were  elected  elders.  Mr.  Mofifatt  was  in- 
stalled pastor  the  following  December.  The  growth  of 
the  church  was  rapid  and  full  of  promise.  But  the  peace- 
ful pursuits  of  religion  were  much  interrupted  during 
the  turbulent  period  of  civil  strife  from  1861  to  '65.  The 
community  was  repeatedly  overrun  by  the  contending 
factions  and  impoverished  by  foraging  parties.  The  pas- 
tor, because  of  these  discouragements,  left  this  field  in 
1865.  He  returned  in  1867,  but  the  pastoral  relation 
was  dissolved  in  May,  1868.  They  were  without 
preaching  the  two  years  following  except  during 
short  visits  of  Revs.  M.  Oates  and  J-  P-  -Marion. 
Rev.  S.  P.  Davis  supplied  them  in  1871  and  '2. 
His  labors  were  greatly  blessed  in  encouraging  and 
l)uilding  up  the  church.  Rev.  J.  C.  McDonald  came 
to  them  in  Xov.,  1872,  and  was  installed  pastor  for  half 
time  in  Oct.,  1874.  This  relation  was  dissolved  in  1876. 
For    several    vears    thev    were    almost    entirelv    without 


556       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

preaching,  and  the  cause  languished.  Revs.  W.  L.  Pat- 
terson, S.  P.  Davis  and  D.  W.  Reid  each  spent  a  short 
while  among  them  in  '8i  to  '84.  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly  sup- 
plied them  in  1885,  and  Rev.  R.  E.  Patterson  in  1886  and 
'7.  Rev.  W.  S.  Moffatt  began  his  labors  among  them 
again  in  1888,  and  continued  to  supply  them  half  time 
with  a  few  short  interruptions  until  the  summer  of  1895. 
In  1890  they  erected  a  neat  frame  house  of  worship,  in- 
stead of  the  log  building  they  had  occupied  since  the 
church  was  organized.  Rev.  M.  T.  Ellis  came  to  them 
in  August,  1895,  and  the  25th  of  the  following  January 
was  installed  pastor  for  half  time.  They  had  47  mem- 
bers at  that  time.  Rev.  J.  S.  Moffatt  was  born  in  the 
bomids  of  Prosperity.  Rev.  S.  B.  Caughran,  a  distin- 
guished minister  of  the  M.  E.  Church  South,  was  a  child 
of  this  congregation.    They  have  S.  S.  and  L.  B.  Society. 

Prosperity  A.  R.  P.  Church,  Prosperity,  S.  C,  was 
organized  in  1802  with  Rev.  James  Rogers  as  pastor, 
and  James  Young,  Samuel  McQueens  and  Robert  Dren- 
nan  elders,  and  in  the  same  year  a  suitable  house  of  wor- 
ship was  built  by  James  Young  and  others.  In  1816  Rev. 
Charles  Strong  became  pastor  and  served  until  his  death, 
eight  years  later,  when  Rev.  S.  P.  Pressly  succeeded 
him.  In  1832  Rev.  S.  P.  Pressly,  being  elected  to  a  pro- 
fessorship in  Franklin  University  at  Athens,  Ga., — now 
the  University  of  Georgia — the  church  was  without  a 
pastor  until  1835,  when  Rev.  J.  Galloway  was  called,  in- 
stalled and  served  as  pastor  for  twenty  (20)  years.  In 
the  early  years  of  his  pastorate  a  new  church  building 
was  erected.  On  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  February,  1858, 
Rev.  J.  C.  Boyd  preached  his  first  sermon  at  Prosperity 
church,  and  was  ordained  at  Head  Springs,  S.  C,  on  the 
first  Sabbath  of  November  following.  His  pastorate  in- 
cluded Prosperity^  Head  Springs  and  Cannon's  Creek, 
and  he  continued  pastor  of  Prosperity  until  1889. 
During     his     pastorate     Abram     Moore,     James     Fair, 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      557 

Robert  Carmichael,  George  Brown,  Dr.  Thompson 
Young,  Col.  William  Lester,  John  B.  Fellows.  J. 
R.  P.  Crosson,  H.  C.  Mosely,  J.  H.  Hunter  and 
C.  F.  Boyd  were  at  various  times  elders.  Of  these 
Hunttr,  Fellows  and  Mosely  only  remain,  and  with 
A.  P.  Harris  constitute  the  bench  of  elders.  Capt.  Mat- 
thew 1  [all,  D.  A.  A.  Kibler  and  A.  P.  Dominick  were 
made  deacons  in  1867;  of  these  three  only  the  last  men- 
tioned survives.  The  present  diaconate  consists  of  S.  S. 
Bcrge,  G.  D.  Brown  and  A.  P.  Dominick. 

In  1889  a  new  and  commodious  church  building  was 
erected  near  the  center  of  town.  The  old  church  still 
standing  half  a  mile  distant  on  the  outskirts  of  town.  On 
the  second  Sabbath  of  July,  189 1,  Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips 
was  installed  as  pastor  and  continued  to  serve  until  Sept. 
5,  1892.  For  the  next  four  years  the  church  was  supplied 
as  follows:  Dr.  T.  W.  Sloan.  1893-1894,  second  and 
fourth  Sabbaths;  Rev.  H.  R.  McAulay  in  part  1895- 
1896;  Rev.  J.  B.  Hood  during  the  summer  of  1896.  In 
1896  Rev.  A.  G.  Kirkpatrick  accepted  a  call  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  church  and  remained  until  Nov.   i,   1900. 

By  the  request  of  the  congregation  Rev.  Charles  M. 
Boyd  preached  two  and  one  half  months.  On  April  i, 
1902,  a  call  was  made  for  one  half  his  time.  The  call 
was  accepted  and  he  began  his  work  in  November,  1902. 

Prosperity,  Mccklcnhiirg  Co.,  N.  C,  owes  her  origin, 
about  1788,  to  the  introduction  of  Watt's  Psalms  and 
Hymns.  Adam  Meek,  Robt.  and  James,  sons  of  Henry 
Hunter,  James  Steele  and  others  had  been  in  connection 
with  Poplar  Tent,  but  withdrew  because  of  the  aforesaid 
innovation.  About  this  time  a  godly  licentiate  journeyed 
this  way  as  the  leaves  were  falling  in  1788.  Having 
ministered  acceptably  he  was  ordained  and  installed  pas- 
tor July  I,  1789.  His  early  and  lamented  death  left  them 
destitute. 

Ten  acres  at  seven  and  a  half  cents  per  acre  by  Gov. 


558       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Dobbs  Spaigbt  granted,  January  7,  1795,  warrant 
entered  April  10,  1794,  was  crowned  by  a  log 
house  about  35  by  25  feet.  Near  this  tmie  came 
Rev.  Jas.  McKnight,  ministering  so  acceptably  that  in 
1797  he  was  installed  pastor.  This  mission  of  a  third  of  a 
century  was  a  happy  one.  He  kept  Martha  Hunter  one 
hour  and  five  minutes  at  the  bridal  altar  with  Mr.  Porter. 
His  two  sermons  a  day,  each  two  hours,  besides  explain- 
ing the  Psalms  sent  home  by  star  light  families  two  miles 
distant.  Wm.  Wallace,  David  Galloway,  Thomas  Hun- 
ter and  John  Wallace,  elders.  Rev.  McKnight's  death, 
Sept.  17,  183 1,  left  a  vacancy  till  1844,  when  Revs.  J.  G. 
Witherspoon,  Warren  Flenniken,  Jas.  Walker,  David 
Pressly,  Dr.  Isaac  Grier,  R.  M.  Galloway,  J.  B.  Watt,  J. 
K.  Boyce  preached.  A  frame  church  was  erected  in  1842 
and  fell  under  weight  of  snow  storm,  Jan.  5,  1877.  Their 
next  pastor  was  being  licensed  at  the  very  meeting,  April 
17,  1843,  in  which  they  petitioned  for  supplies.  "And 
it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  before  they  call,  I  will  answer ; 
and  while  they  are  yet  speaking  I  will  hear."  Rev.  John 
Hunter  was  ordained  and  installed  July  24,  1844.  A 
year  of  Sabbaths  this  relation  continued,  a  blessing  to 
the  church,  and  was  dissolved  that  Prosperity  might  have 
more  preaching. 

Elders :  Abner  Hunter,  Robt.  Hunter,  Sr.,  John  Mc- 
Cornel,  Jas.  Bigham,  W.  Lee  Galloway,  Wm.  Black, 
Henry  Wallace  and  Gen.  Wm.  Allen.  Rev.  R.  F.  Tay- 
lor succeeded  Oct.  19,  1857,  and  resigned  April  20,  1857. 
R.  B.  Hunter  and  Daniel  McAulay  elders.  Dr.  Alexan- 
der Ranson  began  a  20  years'  pastorate  Dec.  11,  1857, 
and  added  to  his  session  Barnett  Dewese,  Samuel  Garri- 
son, Joseph  Hunter,  Dixon  Ewart,  J.  C.  Bell,  J.  Mc- 
Knight Hunter  and  A.  J.  Hunter.  Rev.  D.  G.  Caldwell 
began  an  official  pastorate  May  9,  1879,  which  ended 
April  6,  1885.  The  present  building  was  begun  in  1877 
and  completed  in  1889.  Rev.  I.  G.  McLaughlin  and  Dr. 
G.  R.  White  supplied  till  Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter  began  stated 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       559 

labors  Oct.  7,  1888,  was  installed  Nov.  16,  1889,  and  de- 
mitted  Feb.  19,  1896.  J.  Watson  Hunter,  R.  E.  Beard, 
J.  G.  Mc.  Hunter  and  Silas  Garrison  elders.  Revs.  D. 
P.  Neill,  Jas.  Soyce,  R.  E.  Hough  have  supplied  since 
and  Rev.  T.  B.  Stewart  is  present  supply.  Revs.  John 
Hunter,  W.  M.  Hunter  and  J.  M.  Garrison  are  sons  of 
Prosperity.  Jonathan  Reid  has  been  lately  added  to  the 
session. 

Providence,  Campbell  Co.,  Go.,  on  the  roll  '43.  Rev. 
D.  C.  Haslet  pastor  April   12,  1844,  April  10.  1846. 

Providence,  S.  C. — Was  organized  in  1838  by  Rev. 
Tas.  L.  Youno-,  actinQ"  under  the  direction  of  the  Second 
Presbytery.  He  was  the  first  pastor,  but  when  he  Avas 
called  and  how^  long  he  served  is  not  known.  In  Nov., 
1 85 1,  certificates  were  given  to  13  white-,  and  three 
colored  communicants  who  were  removing  to  Mississippi. 
Tradition  says  Rev.  Jas.  L.  Young  went  with  them. 

On  ]\Iay  15th,  1854,  Rev.  D.  F.  Haddon  became  pastor 
over  Bethel,  Providence  and  Head  Springs,  and  contin- 
ued for  many  }-ears. 

Rev.  H.  Rabb  was  installed  in  ^lay,  1896,  and  demitted 
in  1897.  About  this  time  Providence  and  Head  Springs 
withdrew  from  Bethel  and  formed  a  separate  pastoral 
charge.  On  May  19th,  1900,  Rev.  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco  was 
installed  pastor,  Rev.  E.  E.  McClintock  presiding  over 
installation    exercises. 

Revs.  D.  F.  Haddon  and  H.  Rabb  gave  one-fourth 
time  each  to  Providence.  Rev.  Plaxco,  present  pastor, 
gives  one  half  time.  Providence  has  had  three  houses  of 
worship,  but  it  is  not  known  when  first  two  were  erected. 
The  present  building  was  put  up  in  1902.  Rev.  ^^^  A. 
Rlakely  was  born  and  baptized  in  this  congregation. 

Providence,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  S.  C,  organized  near 
Presbyterian  Church  of  same  name  prior  to  Feb.  24th, 


560      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

1790.  The  introduction  of  Watt's  version  of  the  Psalms, 
confessedly  an  imitation  and  fragmentary,  and  soon  after 
Hymns  of  human  composition  was  an  innovation  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Many  could  not  see  their  way 
"clear  to  have  the  uninspired  supplant  the  inspired."  This 
new  departure  strengthened  if  it  did  not  originate  the 
above  congregation.  They  received  occasional  supplies 
from  Revs.  James  Rogers,  John  Boyse,  Peter  McMullen. 
Their  first  pastor  was  Rev.  Isaac  Grier,  ordained  and 
installed  Oct.  19,  1804.  He  retained  this  pastorate  till 
181 5.  Some  time  after  this  they  passed  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and 
were  supplied  till  about  1827.  At  that  time  or  soon  after 
it  is  supposed  the  remaining  members  became  a  part  of 
Sardis. 

Providence,  Laurens  Co.-,  S.  C,  organized  about  1836. 
Rev.  J.  L.  Young  was  installed  in  the  fall  of  1836,  and 
remained  till  the  fall  of  1851.  In  1853  there  were  31 
members. 

Rev.  D.  F.  Haddon  was  installed  May  15,  1854,  and 
continued  till  end  of  1892,  though  he  supplied  a  short 
time  both  before  and  after  installation,  rounding  out 
some  42  years.    Messrs.  David  Blakely,  J.  C.  Todd,  H.  J. 

Bryson    and    Boozer    were    elders,    also    Robt. 

Sloan.  Rev.  Horace  Rabb  was  installed  pastor  March 
20,  1896,  and  demitted  Sept.  18,  1897.  In  1899  Head 
Springs  and  Providence  ,  Laurens  Co.,  were  severed  from 
Bethel  and  called  Rev.  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco,  1900.  About 
this  time,  having  long  worshipped  near  Clinton,  a  lot  was 
bought  and  a  house  was  built  in  the  city. 

Quincy,  Gadsden  Co.,  Fla.,  organized  by  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery, 1853,  Rev.  Wm.  Blackstock  in  1828,  by  order  of 
Synod,  made  a  tour  in  Alabama,  Florida  and  Tennessee. 
This  place  was  visited  May  and  June,  '37,  by  Rev.  Joseph 
McCreary  and  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Pressly,  first  Sabbath,  Jan., 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       561 

'42.  Doubtless  supplied  in  the  fifties  by  Rev.  A.  McElroy 
and  for  want  of  an  under  shepherd  passed  from  our  roll 
with  a  number  of  small  vacancies  which  the  zeal  of  our 
fathers  had  planted  in  that  section. 

Rehohoth,  Fayette  Co.,  Tenn.,  was  cultivated  for  a 
number  of  years  as  a  preaching  point,  chiefly  by  Rev.J.L. 
McDaniel,  and  was  by  him  organized  into  a  congregation 
of  ten  (10)  members,  Mr.  Stafford  being  elected  and 
ordained  an  elder.  This  action,  presumably  taken  during 
the  summer  of  1885,  was  reported  to  Presbytery  the  fol- 
lowing Sept.  4th.  Occasional  supplies  were  sent  there 
during  the  years  following,  but  on  May  2,  1901,  Rehoboth 
was  dropped  from  the  Roll  of  Presbytery,  it  having  been 
informed  that  the  members  had  gone  into  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church. 

Richland,  in  Navarro  Co.,  Texas,  was  one  of  Rev.  T. 
J.  Bonner's  places  of  preaching  previous  to  1875.  That 
year  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  began  preaching  here  half 
his  time.  These  two  brethren  organized  Richland 
church  Sept.  i,  1876,  with  13  members.  R.  S. 
Davidson,  Wirt  Robinson  and  D.  J.  Johnston  were  or- 
dained elders.  They  built  a  house  of  worship  in 
1877,  Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  supplied  them  half  time 
till  October,  1880.  Rev.  W.  H.  Millen  till  October, 
1882.  Rev.  D.  Pressly  and  others  till  October,  1884. 
Rev.  W.  L.  Patterson  then  took  up  the  work  again 
and  was  installed  pastor  of  Harmony  and  Richland 
in  Sept.,  1885.  They  had  61  members  at  that  time.  This 
was  a  prosperous  period  in  the  history  of  the  church. 
Valuable  additions  were  received  from  Arkansas,  South 
Carolina  and  elsewhere  and  the  spirit  of  harmony  pre- 
vailed. In  1897  they  reported  79  members.  That  year 
the  pastor,  on  account  of  afflictions,  deemed  it  necessary 
to  give  up  the  charge,  and  the  relation  was  dissolved  in 
Nov.  Rev.  J.  R.  McCormick  came  very  soon  to  take  up 
36 


562       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

the  work  and  was  installed  for  half  time  April  15,  1899. 
Richland  has  suffered  heavy  losses  from  removals — 14 
members  having  moved  to  Hermon,  and  14  to  Corsicana, 
including  several  elders  and  deacons.  But  there  has  been 
a  steady  gain  in  members,  there  being  88  in  1902.  Rev. 
L.  I.  Echols  was  a  member  of  this  congregation  when  he 
was  licensed.  They  maintain  a  S.  S.,  a  L.  B.  Soc,  and 
a  Y.   P.   C.   U. 

.  .Richland,  Shelby  Co,  Tciui.,  is  located  about  twenty- 
five  miles  northeast  of  Memphis,  and  about  six  miles 
from  Brunswick,  on  the  L.  &  N.,  and  Tipton  on  the  I. 
C.  R.  R.  The  little  village  of  Rosemark,  gathered  about 
the  church,  is  of  very  recent  growth.  The  name,  Rich- 
land, was  no  doubt  given  to  the  church  from  the  charac- 
ter of  the  soil  in  that  section,  it  being  one  of  the  finest 
farming  sections  of  west  Tennessee.  The  country  is 
level,  the  people  thrifty  and  withal  it  is  a  desirable  com- 
munity in  which  to  live. 

The  date  of  organization  cannot  be  positively  ascer- 
tained. It  seems  that  Rev.  J.  H.  Strong  was  directed  by 
the  Memphis  Presbytery  in  the  fall  of  1866  to  effect  the 
organization,  and  that  in  September,  1867,  Bro.  Strong 
reports  the  order  obeyed.  It  is  supposed  the  organiza- 
tion was  accomplished  in  1867,  previous  to  September 
of  that  year,  though  the  exact  date  is  not  known.  There 
had  been  preaching  in  this  community  for  ten  years  or 
more  previous  to  this  time,  first  by  Rev.  John  Wilson, 
and  then  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Strong,  each  of  whom  was  at  the 
time  of  his  service  the  pastor  of  Salem  church  in  Tipton 
Co.,  about  seven  miles  away.  Rev.  J.  L.  McDaniel  also 
preached  some  here  about  this  time.  The  preaching  was 
held  first  in  the  house  of  Robt.  McCalla,  and  then  in 
the  school  house  at  the  crossing  of  the  roads,  where  the 
church  was  afterwards  erected.  The  Rev.  J.  H.  Strong 
continued  as  chief  supply  to  the  organization  for  about 
one  year.     r)n  August  29,  1868,  the  Rev.  H.  L.  Murphy 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.       563 

was  installed  as  their  first  pastor  and  this  relation  con- 
tinued until  Sept.  9th,  187 1,  when  it  was  dissolved  by 
mutual  consent.  For  nearly  three  years  the  pulpit  was 
vacant,  and  was  supplied  by  various  persons.  On  Satur- 
day before  the  second  Sabbath  of  June,  1874,  Rev.  D. 
\\\  Reid  was  installed  pastor  and  this  relation  was  con- 
tinued until  April  29th,  1874,  when  it  was  dissolved. 
The  congrejiii'ation  remained  a  vacancy  for  eii^ht  years. 
Rev.  H.  Rabb  was  installed  pastor  December  8th,  1882, 
and  for  13  years  served  faithfully  and  acceptably.  He 
demitted  this  pastorate  in  December,  1895.  It  is  proper 
to  state  that  during-  this  period  the  church  took  on  new 
life  and  j^rew  in  numbers  and  efficiency.  At  first  only  a 
part  of  the  pastor's  time  was  taken,  but  later  he  devoted 
his  whole  time  to  this  field.  Xot  a  little  is  due  under 
God  to  his  untiring  zeal  to  build  up  the  kingdom  in  that 
community.  Within  less  than  a  year  a  ]>astoral  settle- 
ment was  effected  and  the  Rev.  \\\  H.  Millen  was  in- 
stalled October  17th,  1896.  This  relation  happily  con- 
tinues to  the  present  day.  The  congregation  is  in  excel- 
lent condition  and  contmues  to  grow  and  develop.  It 
now  numbers  171  members,  active  and  zealous  in  every 
good  work.  Under  the  efficient  leadership  of  the  devoted 
pastor  God  has  greatly  blessed  the  church,  and  its  work 
in  that  community. 

This  congregation  has  had  but  one  house  of  worship, 
presumably  erected  not  long  after  the  organization.  But 
in  1900  and  1901  this  house  was  remodeled  at  considera- 
ble cost,  and  is  now  a  neat  and  attractive  building,  well 
adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  congregation. 

Rii'cs.  Tcmi.,  located  in  the  town  of  that  name,  is  in  the 
eastern  part  of  (  )bion  Co..  at  the  junction  of  the  Mobile 
&  Ohio,  and  the  111.  Cent.  Railroads. 

The  organization  of  this  congregation  took  place  at 
Pleasant  I  Till,  two  miles  west.  Xov.  18.  1882,  with  i; 
members.     In    1887  the  congregation  built  a  church  ii 


564       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Rives  and  the  organization  was  removed  to  this  place. 
The  church  at  Rives  was  dedicated  Jan.  8,  1888,  Rev. 
J.  P.  Weed  preaching  the  sermon.  Rev.  T.  P.  Pressly, 
who  organized  the  church,  continued  in  charge,  preaching 
monthly  until  Rives  and  Polk  were  united  in  a  pastoral 
charge,  and  Rev.  E.  P.  Lindsay  of  Tennessee  and  Alaba- 
ma Presbytery  was  sent  by  Synod  as  stated  supply.  He 
began  his  labors  Jan.  ist,  1902,  was  returned  again  for 
the  year  1903,  and  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of 
Rives  and  Polk  June  30,  1903. 

The  following  elders  have  served  the  congregation 
since  organization  in  addition  to  those  elected  at  the 
time  of  organization  :  Joseph  F.  Harper,  E.  B.  Chester, 
Robert  Hamilton,  Luther  G.  I^Ioffatt. 

During  the  present  year,  1903,  the  congregation  has 
been  remodeling  and  repairing  their  church  building. 

Roacli's,  West  Virginia. — Rev.  J.  A.  Myers 

began  preaching  here  in  the  summer  of  1870  and  was 
installed  pastor  in  the  spring  of  1871. 

Rock  Hill,  S.  C— In  July,  1895,  Mr.  A.  S.  Rogers, 
then  a  student  in  Erskine  Seminary,  was  sent  to  Rock 
Hill,  S.  C,  by  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  to  open  a 
mission  in  that  city.  He  found  sixteen  members  of  the 
A.  R.  P.  Church  there,  and  commenced  work.  Armory 
Hall  was  rented  and  the  first  service  was  held  July  7th. 
The  attendance  and  outlook  was  encouraging  from  the 
beginning,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  First  Presbytery, 
held  at  Clover,  S.  C,  Sept.  30th  of  the  same  year,  the 
Presbytery  appointed  a  commission  to  organize  a  church 
there,  and  also  appointed  a  committee  consisting  of  Revs. 
Oliver  Johnson,  C.  E.  McDonald  and  Hon.  D.  E.  Finley 
to  co-operate  with  a  committee  of  the  congregation  in 
raising  funds  and  in  building  a  house  of  worship.  On 
Nov.  19th,  1895,  Revs.  J.  S.  Moffatt,  J.  T.  Chalmers  and 
elders   Joseph   Wylie   and   Matthew   White   organized   a 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  565 


I 


ROCK    HILL,    S.    C. 

church  of  twenty-six  members  with  W.  F.  Strait,  M.  D., 
R.  T.  Wright  and  J.  '\\.  Lauridge,  elders,  and  L.  Black 
and  J.  L.  White  deacons.  At  the  close  of  the  Seminary 
in  June,  1896,  Rev.  A.  S.  Rogers,  who  had  completed 
the  course,  and  been  licensed  at  the  spring  meeting,  was 
returned  to  Rock  Hill,  and  appointed  to  the  field  for  a 
term  of  live  years.  Mr.  Rogers  canvassed  the  church  for 
funds  to  erect  a  building,  and  was  successful  in  raising 
them.  The  present  beautiful  and  commodious  building 
was  begun  in  1897,  and  completed  in  1898.  The  build- 
ing is  of  pressed  brick,  with  granite  trimmings,  and  fine 
architectural  effects.  It  has  had  a  steady  and  rapid 
growth,  and  now  has  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  mem- 
bers, and  bids  fair  to  become  one  of  our  strongest 
churches.  On  Dec.  19th.  1901,  Rev.  A.  S.  Rogers  was 
installed  as  pastor,  and  continues  until  the  present  time. 


Rocky  Springs,  Alexander  Co.,  N.  C. — Revs.  Jas.  Mar- 
tin, Andrew  Patton,  Wm.  Marshall  and  Dr.  Clark  visited 
the  Associates  in  this  region  1776- 1779.    Later  Dr.  Clark 


566       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

and  Rev.  John  Jamieson  and  others  doubtless  preached 
on  journeys  South. 

The  Second  Presbytery  at  Sharon,  S.  C,  April  15, 
1802,  was  petitioned  for  supplies  and  a  moderation  with 
a  view  to  call  Rev.  Jas.  McAulay.  While  he  supplied 
awhile  this  relation  was  not  formed.  The  church  was 
organized  before  Feb.,  1790,  Jas.  White  and  John  Elliot 
of  New  Stirling-  emigrated  from  Ireland  with  Rev.  Wm. 
Blackstock  in  the  "Irish  J'ohintccr'^  and  landed  at 
Qharleston,  S.  C,  1792.  a  Christmas  gift  to  A.  R. 
Church.  He  became  stated  supply  here  and  New  Stir- 
ling and  New  Perth  1804-1811,  thus  joining  his  sea- 
mates  in  the  spiritual  voyage.  There  were  40  families 
in  1803.  The  church  was  located  near  the  Methodist 
Campground  of  the  same  name.  About  the  time  Rev. 
Blackstock  retired  the  Associate  Presbytery,  under  the 
once  magnetic  Mushat,  gathered  all  the  Psalm-singers 
in  that  region  under  her  fold,  and  a  part  at  least  of  her 
membership  reappeared  in  Virgin   Spring. 

Russell's  J\illcy,  Franklin  Co.,  Ala.,  appears  as  a  va- 
cancy of  the  Second  Presbytery  in  1830.  On  fourth 
Sabbath  of  May,  1837,  Rev.  J.  N.  Pressly  preached  and 
catechised  at  John  Hamilton's,  and  on  Friday  and  the 
next  Sabbath  at  Mr.  Ray's.  "A  respectable,  destitute 
vacancy,  abundantly  able  for  half  support  and  anxious 
for  the  Word."  Rev.  Ralston  preached  two  Sabbaths 
and  three  week-days  in  the  winter  of  1837,  and  reports 
"some  have  left  their  first  love  and  some  holding  fast 
the  crown."  Rev.  Jas.  P.  Pressly  preached  third  and 
fourth  Sabbaths,  June,  1838,  Rev.  R.  C.  Grier  third 
Sabbath,  June,  1840,  and  Rev.  David  Pressly  two  Sab- 
baths in  1842.     It  has  long  since  disappeared  from  roll. 

Riisscll-c'iUc.  Ark. — The  church  at  this  place  was  or- 
ganized A])ril  21,  1893,  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr,  assisted  by 
Rev.    M.   ( )ates   and   the    Pottsville   Session.      Seventeen 


SKETCHES  OF  COXGREGATIOXS.      567 

members  were  enrolled,  13  of  whom  were  from  Potts- 
ville  and  two  from  Old  Providence,  Va.  C.  D.  Rowan 
and  R.  M.  Oates  were  elected  and  ordained  elders.  Three 
deacons  were  also  elected  and  ordained.  Immediate 
steps  were  taken  to  secure  a  lot  and  build  a  house.  A 
convenient  and  attractive  church  was  completed  and  oc- 
cupied in  July.  1894.  Up  to  this  time  they  occupied  a 
rented  room  in  the  ]\Iasonic  Hall.  The  new  church  cost 
$2500.  Rev.  J.  A.  Smith  supplied  them  half  time  during 
the  summer  of  1893.  They  were  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  M. 
White  in  1894,  by  Rev.  O.  Y.  Bonner  the  first  six  months 
of  1895  and  Rev.  yi.  T.  Ellis  two  months  the  following 
winter.  Rev.  J.  C.  Douglass  came  in  July.  1896,  and  was 
installed  pastor  for  three-fourths  time  in  November  fol- 
lowing. There  were  2t,  members  at  this  time.  The 
church  prospered  during  this  pastorate,  which  continued 
until  the  death  of  Mr.  Douglass,  June  14,  1900.  There 
were  40  members  at  that  time.  They  were  without  reg- 
ular preaching  then  until  the  arrival  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Smith, 
who  came  and  was  installed  pastor  in  April,  1902.  About 
that  time  they  completed  a  parsonage  at  a  cost  of  $1,250. 
The  session  ^  consisted  of  the  same  members  as  when 
first  organized  with  the  addition  of  J.  X.  Ross.  The 
church  still  continues  to  prosper,  having  now  60  mem- 
bers, a  good  S.  S.  and  Ladies'  Society,  and  Y.  P.  C.  U. 

Salciii,  Covington  Co.,  Ala.,  appears  as  a  vacancy  of  the 
Second  Presbytery  in  1830.  Three  years  before,  in  1827, 
it  was  organized  under  the  inspiration  of  Wm.  J.  jMitchell, 
"a  burning  and  shining  light."  So  far  as  known  it  never 
had  a  pastor.  Rev.  Thomas  Turner  preached  there  in 
Dec,  1835,  and  reported  nine  members,  and  $14.00  con- 
tributed. Rev.  Jas.  McCreary  gave  them  first  and  second 
Sabbath  of  January,  1838,  and  the  following  year  dis- 
pensed the  sacraments,  and  ordained  two  ruling  elders. 
Rev.  J.  M.  Young  gave  two  Sabbaths  in  spring  of  1842, 
Rev.  J  no.   Miller  two  Sabbaths  in    1846  and  same  year 


568       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Rev.  J.  I.  Bonner  one  Sabbath.    It  is  now  supplied  by  the 
Tennessee  and  Alabama  Presbytery. 

Salem,  Knox  Co.,  Tenn. — A  considerable  number  of 
Associate  Presbyterians  settled  in  Bount  and  Knox  Coun- 
ties, Tenn.,  and  were  visited  by  Rev.  Robt.  Armstrong 
1799.  Rev.  James  Kennedy  came  from  Ireland,  1796, 
and  after  laboring  mostly  in  east  Tennessee  awhile  was 
ordained  by  the  x-\ssociate  Presbytery  of  Kentucky  and 
installed  pastor  of  Salem  and  connections,  1807,  and  re- 
mained to  April  24,  1826.  Organized  1800  there  was 
need  in  some  50  years  of  a  change  of  location.  The 
widow  of  Rev.  Kennedy  gave  $200,  and  his  son 
James,  a  pillar,  and  an  elder  $200,  and  the  present  house 
was  built  in  1854.  From  Rev.  Kennedy's  death  it  was 
vacant  and  supplied  by  the  Miami  Presbytery,  possibly  by 
Rev.  David  Carson,  a  pastor  in  Blount  Co.,  '24-'34,  and 
Rev.  Thomas  S.  Kendall,  his  successor,  '34-'42. 

In  '40  they,  with  the  Blount  churches,  for  a  year's  sup- 
ply Revs.  Wm.  Smith,  John  Bryan  and  D.  H.  A.  Mc- 
Lean were  sent.  During  this  period  they  averaged  about 
40  members,  and  half  that  number  of  families.  In  1844 
the  Associate  churches  in  the  South  came  into  our  Synod. 
Rev.  John  Patrick  found  some  20  or  30  families.  Rev. 
A.  Ranson  preached  with  great  encouragement  '52.  Rev. 
R.  F.  Taylor  went  there  under  contract  to  teach  and 
preach  early  in  '57  to  spring  of  '59,  when  he  joined  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  After  the  war  they  received  oc- 
casional visits.  Rev.  J.  S.  Mills  spent  the  larger  part 
Synodical  years  '75- '77.     Passed  from  roll  about  '79. 

Salem,  Tipton  Co.,  Tenn.,  is  11  miles  southwest  of 
Covington,  and  about  32  miles  northeast  of  Memphis. 

About  1830  Mr.  Gardiner  Miller  and  family  of  Fair- 
field Co.,  S.  C,  came  to  Tipton  Co.,  the  first  Associate 
Reformed  family,  so  far  as  known,  to  settle  in  this  part  of 
the  State.     Probal:)!}-  in   1831  Mr.  William  Simonton,  an 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      569 

elder  of  Hopewell,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C,  came  to  Tipton 
Co.,  and  located,  adjoining  Mr.  Miller.  He  was 
a  man  "of  sterling  character,  strong  in  the  faith 
and  devotedly  attached  to  the  doctrines  and  prin- 
ciples of  his  church."  These  pious  parents  reared 
a  large  family,  all  of  whom  became  identified  with 
the  church.  One  son,  Hon.  Chas.  B.  Simonton,  is 
a  member  of  the  Session,  was  a  gallant  Confederate  sol- 
dier, is  a  successful  lawyer,  and  worthily  served  in  both 
the  State  and  National  Legislatures.  This  was  in  the 
early  days  of  the  country,  there  being  but  few  settlements 
and  an  almost  unbroken  forest.  ^Tiller  and  Simonton 
settled  a  few  miles  south  of  the  site  of  old  Poterville, 
and  not  far  from  where  the  church  now  is.  The}'  were 
followed  in  1832  and  1833  by  other  pious  families  of  the 
Associate  Reformed  faith,  mainly  from  South  Carolina. 
Among  them  Abner  Mathews,  Lusk  Davis,  H.  J.  McCain, 
Dr.  John  Cooper,  John  Irwin  and  Alexander  Moore. 

On  Jan.  28,  1835,  a  meeting  was  held  at  Mr.  Mathews 
and  steps  were  taken  to  secure  preaching  and  the  organi- 
zation of  a  church.  Accordingly  in  the  following  sum- 
mer a  "commodious  log  house"  was  built  on  a  lot  of  four 
acres  of  land  donated  by  Mr.  Mathews  and  deeded  to 
"Salem  congregation."  In  the  early  summer  Mr.  J. 
Galloway  preached  the  first  sermon  b}-  an  A.  R.  P.  min- 
ister in  this  section  in  a  school  house.  He  also  preached 
in  a  grove  near  where  the  church  was  built. 

In  June  of  this  year  Rev.  John  Wilson  preached  here 
for  awhile,  and  was  returned  by  the  Synod  in  the  fall 
of  1835.  On  the  19th  of  June,  1836,  the  congregation  of 
Salem  was  organized  by  Rev.  Henry  Bryson,  D.  D.,  53 
names  were  enrolled,  William  Simonton  and  John  Erwin 
chosen  elders,  the  latter  from  Sardis,  N.  C.  W.  R.  Mc- 
Cain was  ordained  to  this  ofifice  at  this  time. 

Rev.  John  Wilson  was  installed  pastor  April  19.  1837, 
of  Salem  and  Sardis  in  Fayette  Co.,  Tenn.  The  latter 
was  probably  demitted  in  1842.     He  continued  as  pastor 


570 


SKETCHES   OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


of  Salem  until  the  fall  of  1865,  when  he  demitted.  "On 
the  last  Wednesday  of  1861,"  at  the  suggestion  of  Mr. 
Wilson,  the  congregation  agreed  to  call  a  co-pastor.  In 
obedience  to  this  call  Rev.  J.  H.  Strong,  then  pastor  of 
Shiloh,  Lafayette  Co.,  Miss.,  came  to  Salem  in  February, 
1862.  After  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation  be- 
tween Rev.  Wilson  and  the  congregation,  Mr.  Strong 
was  unanimously  called  to  the  pastorate  and  was  installed 
September.  1866,  Rev.  J.  L.  Young  preached  the  sermon 
and  Rev.  Wilson  propounded  the  questions  and  addressed 
pastor  and  people.  This  pastorate  happily  continued  un- 
til his  death,  August  18,  1891.  During  these  pastorates 
the  congregation  grew  rapidly.  In  i860  it  reported  325 
members  and  125  families.  At  the  time  Rev.  Strong 
became  pastor  350  members  are  reported.  Preaching 
points  had  been  established  at  Bloomington,  at  Richland, 
and  in  the  "Flat  Woods."  Bloomington  was  organized  in 
1861,  and  remained  in  connection  with  Salem  till  1868, 
becoming-  a  separate  organization  with  Rev.  H.  L.  Mur- 
phy as  pastor. 

Richland  was  organized  in  1867.  Mt.  Paran,  another 
off-shoot  of  Salem,  was  organized  in  188 1.  In  1855  a 
number  of  families  removed  from  Salem  to  Drew  Co., 
Ark.,  and  were  organized  into  a  congregation  at  Monti- 
cello.  Recently  a  church  building  was  erected  by  W.  H. 
Dunlap  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  congregation  and 
called  Sharon.  Though  not  a  separate  organization,  the 
pastor  preaches  here  regularly  Sabbath  afternoons.  It 
may  be  added  that  the  larger  portion  of  those  entering 
the  organization  of  the  Covington  Chiuxh  were  from 
Salem.  Thus  she  is  entitled  to  be  called  the  "mother 
of  churches." 

The  year  1885  is  noted  as  a  "remarkable"  one.  A  re- 
vival lasting  two  weeks  resulted  in  40  accessions,  mostly 
from  "the  ranks  of  the  youth."  About  1891  there  was 
another  revival  resulting,  we  believe,  in  a  larger  addition 
to  the  church. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      571 

Salem  is  not  noted  for  changes.  It  has  had  but  three 
pastors  and  two  church  buildings.  The  present  building 
replaced  the  log  house  in  1845.  It  has  not  been  materially 
changed  since  its  erection,  save  the  addition  of  a  primary 
Sabbath  School  and  Session  Room.  It  is  a  wide-awake, 
progressive  and  active  congregation. 

The  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  T.  G.  ]5o}ce,  D.  D.,  was 
installed  ]\Iarch  3,  1893.  The  membership  is  now  about 
350,  and  the  congregation  is  well  organized  and  doing 
eft'ective  service. 

Salem  has  furnished  the  following  ministers  to  the  A. 
R.  P.  Church:  T.  D.  Davis.  J.  X.  McCain,  H.  L.  Mur- 
phy, J.  G.  Millen,  W.  A.  \\'ilson,  J.  H.  Strong,  J.  P.  Er- 
win,  J.  W.  Baird,  J.  W.  ^IcCain,  E.  E.  Strong,  R.  W. 
McDaniel. 

Saline,  Ark. — Some  members  of  Monticello  church, 
seven  to  eleven  miles  to  the  west  in  Saline  Township, 
petitioned  the  Arkansas  Presbytery  for  a  separate  organi- 
zation August  31,  1 86 1.  The  petition  was  granted,  and 
Rev.  J.  ]\I.  Brown  appointed  to  carry  out  the  order.  This 
he  did  Saturda}-  before  the  third  Sabbath  in  October,  the 
same  year.  Twenty-three  members  were  enrolled,  and  J. 
W.  McKinstry,  W.  A.  Nelson  and  R.  G.  Davis  elected 
elders.  A  log  house  was  built  which  served  as  a  place  of 
worship  until  the  latter  part  of  1873,  when  they  occupied 
a  neat,  new  frame  building  completed  at  a  cost  of  about 
$1200.  They  formed  part  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Dickson's  charg-e 
until  1866.  Rev.  J.  M.  Brown  supplied  them  in  1867. 
Rev.  John  Wilson  from  1868  to  '"/t,.  Rev.  J.  S.  A.  Hun- 
ter in  1874.  Rev.  W.  A.  Wilson  in  1875  and  6.  Rev.  H. 
M.  Henry  in  1877  and  "8.  Rev.  J.  L.  Young  in  1879  and 
'80.  He  was  installed  pastor  May  i,  1881,  for  half  time. 
They  had  50  members  at  that  time.  This  was  a  period  of 
healthy  growth  in  the  church.  This  pastoral  relation  was 
dissolved  in  i8t)5.  The  cliurch  had  then  91  members. 
Revs.  '1'.   !').  Stewart  and   S.    I.   Patterson  supplied  them 


572 


SKETCHES   OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


during  the  next  three  years.  Rev.  J.  W.  McCain  began 
his  labors  at  Sahne  in  1899  and  was  installed  pastor  for 
half  time  in  June,  1901.  The  church  is  well  organized 
and  occupies  an  important  position  for  aggressive  work. 
Beauvoir  College  is  in  its  bounds  and  is  controlled  by 
one  of  its  members,  Prof.  J.  L.  Spence.  The  church  has 
96  members.     The  first  deacons  were  ordained  in   1875. 

Sardis,  Benton  Co.,  Ala.,  was  organized  by  the  Geor- 
gia Presbytery  August  25,  1838.  Rev.  David  C.  Haslet 
was  pastor  from  1838  to  1842.  Rev.  J.  N.  Pressly  in  vi- 
cinity of  Jacksonville,  Benton,  now  Calhoun,  Co.,  visited 
a  small  vacancy  of  five  or  six  families  early  in  summer 
of  1837.  They  were  able  and  anxious  to  support  the 
Gospel.  Rev.  Turner  gave  two  Sabbaths  in  1838.  On 
April  I,  he  dispensed  the  sacrament  to  seven  members 
and  ordained  Wm.  Moflr'att  and  Michael  Baker  as  ruling 
elders,  August  25,  1838.  Rev.  L.  McDonald  preached 
two  days  in  Jan.,  1837,  and  also  '39.  Dr.  R.  C.  Grier 
preached  in  1840.  Rev.  D.  C.  Haslet  six  Sabbaths  in 
1841.  Rev.  Turner  preached  in  '41  and  Rev.  Haslet  also 
the  same  year. 

Sardis,  C.  Del  Mais,  Mexico — Rev.  J.  S.  A.  Hunter, 
under  appointment  reached  here  April  6,  1889,  and  rent- 
ed dwellings  in  which  both  to  live  and  preach.  The 
Lord's  supper  was  dispensed  the  first  June  22,  1890. 
Only  five  communed.  Revs.  Hunter,  Pedro  Trujillo  and 
Mrs.  Hunter  of  blessed  memory  and  their  two  daughters, 
Misses  Ximena  and  Katrina.  Feb.  22,  1891,  twelve 
Mexicans  were  baptised — first  fruits — two  of  these  be- 
came ministers.  On  the  25th  two  ruling  elders  were 
elected  and  ordained.  March  i  a  house  and  lot  was 
bought  on  Independencia  St.,  No.  13,  in  the  year  1893, 
which,  after  repairs,  served  as  a  home  for  the  missionary 
and  also  a  church. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


573 


A  handsome 
church  on  another 
lot  was  dedicated 
Dec.  12,  1896, 
now  vahied  at  $7,- 
000.  School  prop- 
erty valued  at  $1,- 
000  was  bought 
next  year,  while 
the  parsonage  is 
estimated  at  $1,- 
000.  Eighty-thred 
have  been  received 
as  members  and 
baptized,  as  also 
twenty-three  chil- 
dren. During  the 
past  six  years  this 
cong-regation      has 


Cll'DAl)  DEL   MAIZ,   MEX. 


contributed  $1,167.40.  There  are  now  15  families  and  15 
communicants.  Miss  Lavinia  Neel  is  the  faithful  teacher 
in  the  school  and  helper  in  the  work.  The  mission  sus- 
tained a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  Mrs.  Hunter.  The 
Lord  has  blessed  this  work  as  a  light  in  a  dark  place. 

Sardis,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C,  was  on  the  roll  Feb. 
24,  1790.  The  families  composing  the  congregation  at 
this  early  day  were  the  Boyces,  Blacks,  Kirpatricks,  Ir- 
wins.  Wallaces  and  others.  They  were  supplied  with 
preaching  occasionally  by  Messrs  Blackstocks,  McAulay, 
Hemphill,  McGill,  McKnight,  John  Boyse,  Porter  and 
Grier.  Rev.  Isaac  Grier  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  by  the  Second  Presbytery  Oct.  19th,  1804.  "Mr. 
Magill  preached  the  sermon  and  Mr.  Irwin  laid  on  the 
obligations."  Some  of  the  earliest  elders  were  John 
Black,  Sen.,  James  Boyce,  Jr.,  Thomas  Kirkpatrick  and 
James  Irwin.     In  1809  W.  Wallace  and  John  Black,  Jr., 


574 


SKETCHES   OE  CONGREGATIONS. 


SARDIS,    N.    C. 


were  ordained.  Later  on  John  Wilson,  John  Grier, 
Hugh  Kirkpatrick,  Sen.,  Wm.  Black,  John  Boyce,  John 
Witherspoon,  Samuel  Boyce,  Alex.  Nesbit,  John  Walker 
and  John  Irwin.  Dr.  Grier  after  a  long  and  faithful 
pastorate  through  the  most  trying  period  of  our  history 
demitted  because  of  age  and  infirmity  Oct.  5th,  1842. 
By  his  untiring  energy  and  liberality  Union  Academy 
was  founded  and  maintained.  A  successful  school  was 
taught  there  for  a  number  of  years  by  Rev.  James  Walker 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Rev.  R.  C.  Grier.  Many  young  men 
thereby  had  the  only  facilities  possible  for  culture  brought 
to  their  doors  and  quite  a  number  encouraged  to  enter 
the  holy  ministry.  Their  next  pastor  was  the  brilliant 
and  magnetic  J.  B.  Watt,  ordained  and  installed  Nov.  6, 
1844.  During  this  pastorate  Messrs.  Richard  Peoples, 
Lorenzo  Hunter  and  Hugh  Kirkpatrick,  Matthew  !>. 
Wallace,  James  Hood  and  Arthur  Cirier  were  ordained 
ruling  elders  and  Samuel  Wallace  and  James  Wallace 
fleacons.  He  demitted  ( )ct.  ()th,  1850.  Another  young 
Timothy  licensed  the  preceding  year,  Rev.  J.  M.  Walker, 
a  son  of  this  congregation,  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  May  (jth,  1851.  for  whole  time.  His  ministr\- that 
was    abun<lantlv    blessed    added    the    followino"    elders: 


SKETCHES   OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


.1/D 


Hugh  Boyce,  Eli  Griffith,  A.  G.  Reid  and  Joseph  Irwin. 
His  resignation  followed,  Sept.  7,  1857,  close  on  the  heels 
of  so  much  promise  and  he  joined  the  General  Assembly 
Presbyterian  Church.  Jan.  11,  1859,  they  saw  another 
pastor,  Rev.  John  Hunter,  installed.  By  his  energy,  at- 
tractive preaching,  happy  pastoral  visitation  he  regained 
much  of  the  lost  ground  and  revived  their  drooping 
spirits.  The  bench  of  elders  was  increased  by  adding 
Messrs.  J.  R.  Hood,  R.  R.  Peoples,  S.  C.  Reid  and  I.  N. 
Wallace  as  the  board  of  deacons  by  Messrs.  J.  R.  Hood, 
J.  W.  Hunter,  T.  M.  Shaw,  T.  N.  McAll,  John  Randolph 
and  J.  W.  Hood.  Being  stricken  in  the  pulpit  at  Thya- 
tira,  a  branch  of  Sardis,  in  March,  1886.  the  first  time 
the  pulpit  had  been  occupied,  he  demitted  his  charge 
August  31,  1886.  During  his  pastorate  Sardis  built  a 
large  and  commodious  house,  maintaining  also  a  part  of 
the  time  a  classical  school  hard  by  her  sacred  courts. 

Rev.  R.  G.  Miller,  D.  D.,  was  installed  May  13,  1887. 
The  congregation  reached  its  high  water  luark  in  mem- 
bers, 245,  about  i8<;5.  This  was  afterwards  decreased  by 
a  considerable  number  removing-  to  Charlotte  and  45  go- 
ing into  the  organization  of  Thyatira  in  1900.  During 
this  last  pastorate  Dr.  L.  W.  Hunter,  R.  W.  Irwin,  W. 
H.  Hunter,  J.  W.  Hood,  John  Randolph,  M.  Lee  Hunter 
and  J.  \V.  Miller  were  ordained  to  the  eldership  and 
Messrs.  A.  B.  Hood,  A.  P.  Nesbit,  D.  M.  Austin,  W.  G. 
McLaughlin,  A.  M.  Wallace,  J.  N.  Lee,  W.  S.  Pharr  and 
Charles  McGinnis  to  the  diaconate.  Sardis  has  always 
been  liberal  and  loyal  to  her  denomination,  a  source  of 
light  and  an  example  of  consistency  and  fidelity  to  his- 
toric I'resbyterianism  in  south  Mecklenburg.  As  \'ir- 
ginia  is  called  the  Mother  of  Presidents  so  she  may  be 
called  the  mother  of  preachers,  viz.,  James  Boyce,  his 
foot  in  the  slirrup  for  Allegheny  Seminary  to  finish,  called 
back  to  a  sudden  attack  of  his  mother,  detained  a  few 
days,  took  fever  and  died,  Warren  Flanniken,  James 
Boyce,  D.  D.,  J.  G.  Witherspoon,  J.  K.  Boyce.  I.  G.  Mc- 


576  SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Laughlin,  E.  E.  Boyce,  D.  D.,  S.  C.  Boyce,  R.  L.  Grier, 
J.  M.  Walker,  J.  H.  Peoples,  David  Kerr,  James  S.  Hun- 
ter, L.  G.  Boyce,  J.  B.  Hood,  W.  S.  Boyce  and  R.  B. 
Miller. 

Sardis,  Union  Co.,  S.  C,  was  an  Associate  Church, 
appearing  on  the  roll  of  the  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas 
in  1 8 19,  and  was  supplied  as  a  vacancy  by  that  Presby- 
tery. It  united  with  Nob  Creek  and  Bethany  in  a  call 
for  Rev.  Joseph  Banks  in  1830,  who  remained  until  the 
fall  of  1833. 

It  came  into  the  A.  R.  Church  at  the  union  of  1844, 
and  Rev.  James  R.  Castles  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  July  nth,  1851,  in  connection  with  Smyrna.  In 
Dec,  i860,  Sardis  was  disorganized  and  became  a 
part  of  Smyrna. 

Sardis,  Fayette  Co.,  Tenn.,  was  a  charter  member  of 
the  Memphis  Presbytery.  It  was  supplied  for  awhile 
after  this  time  occasionally  by  the  Presbytery,  but  after 
a  time  this  was  discontinued  and  it  is  supposed  that  it 
did  not  long  continue  as  an  organization.  It  was  orig- 
inally a  part  of  the  pastorate  charge  of  Rev.  John  Wilson, 
and  in  1848  was  supplied  by  Rev.  E.  E.  Boyce,  D.  D. 

Sardis,  Obion  Co.,  Tenn. — Nothing  is  known  of  this 
place,  where  it  was  or  who  preached  there.  But  it  is 
supposed  that  it  was  only  a  place  for  occasional  preach- 
ing services. 

Shady  Grove,  in  Cleveland  Co.,  Ark.,  was  organized 
by  Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  August,  1872,  in  a  small  log 
church  about  half  a  mile  from  where  their  church  now 
stands.  Twelve  names  were  enrolled.  W.  T.  Carmi- 
chael,  lately  from  White  Oak,  Ga.,  and  W.  H.  Ware, 
were  elected  elders.  They  soon  began  work  on  a  commo- 
dious frame  house  of  worship,  which  was  completed  ten 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      577 

years  later.  Mr.  Marion  supplied  them  half  time  until 
the  close  of  1875.  In  doing  so  he  submitted  to  great 
hardships.  The  church  was  small,  and  he  received  no 
supplement  from  Synod.  He  supported  his  family  chief- 
ly by  cultivating  the  soil.  They  were  supplied  by  Rev.  J. 
L.  Young  in  1876.  Rev.  H.  M.  Henry  in  1877.  Rev. 
J.  S.  A.  Hunter  in  1878  and  9.  A  call  was  presented  to 
Mr.  Hunter  in  1879  for  half  his  time.  Twenty  names 
were  signed  to  it.  He  was  installed  Nov.  28.  1879.  The 
faithful  pastor  met  many  and  formidable  difficulties — 
vexatious  cases  of  discipline  and  bitter  opposition  from 
without.  But  the  church  increased  in  members  and  in- 
fluence. His  pastorate  terminated  with  Dec,  1887,  when 
he  went  to  Mexico  as  a  foreign  missionary.  Rev.  T. 
G.  Boyce  came  to  them  in  July,  1888,  and  was  installed 
pastor  in  Dec.  There  were  42  names  on  the  church  roll 
at  that  time.  This  was  a  happy  pastorate  and  prosperous 
period  in  the  history  of  the  church.  In  Feb.,  1893,  when 
the  relation  was  dissolved  the  church  had  64  members. 
That  year  Rev.  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco  supplied  them.  Rev. 
T.  B.  Stewart  was  pastor  from  May,  1894,  till  Oct.,  1899. 
The  church  was  suffering  losses  from  removals,  and 
its  forces  weakened  by  death.  They  were  supplied  half 
time  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Griffith  in  1900,  one-fourth  time  by 
Rev.  J.  L.  Young  in  1901  and  2,  and  half  time  by  Rev. 
E.  B.  Anderson  in  1903.  They  began  holding  regular 
services  in  1901  at  New  Edinburg,  a  railroad  station 
five  miles  northwest  from  the  church.  Shady  Grove  has 
a  S.  S.  and  L.  B.  Society. 

Sharon,  S.  C. — Sharon  church  is  situated  in  the  wes- 
tern part  of  York  Co.,  S.  C.,  and  was  organized  by  Rev. 
James  Rogers  in  the  summer  of  1796.  Its  origin  is  due 
to  the  introduction  of  Watt's  Hymns  into  Bullock's  Creek 
and  Beersheba  Prcslwterian  churches.  Owing  to  this  in- 
novation, a  number  of  families  left  these  churches  and 
were  organized  into  an  Associate  Reformed  Church.  In 
37 


578       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

the  winter  of  1796  Sharon  united  with  Bethany  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  county  and  Carmel  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  county  in  a  call  to  Rev.  William  Dixon,  re- 
cently came  from  Scotland.  This  call  he  accepted,  and 
he  was  ordained  and  installed  at  Sharon  June  5th,  1797. 

About  1804  or  1805  Mr.  Dixon,  the  pastor  of  Sharon, 
and  Rev.  Peter  McMullen,  withdrew  from  the  Associate 
Reformed  Church,  owing  to  the  position  of  the  Church 
on  frequent  communion,  and  the  dispensing  with  days  of 
lasting  and  thanksgiving  in  connection  with  the  sacra- 
ment, and  Sharon  went  with  its  pastor. 

Very  soon  after,  probably  in  1805,  this  church  and 
some  others  were  organized  into  the  Associate  Presbytery 
of  the  Carolinas.  Mr.  Dixon  continued  to  be  pastor  un- 
til 1824  or  1825. 

In  1826  it  united  with  Tirzah  and  Carmel  in  a  call  to 
Rev.  Wm.  M.  McElwee,  which  he  accepted,  and  was 
installed  in  April,  1827,  and  continued  pastor  until  1832. 
During  the  latter  part  of  his  pastorate  the  church  was 
much  vexed  and  torn  by  the  controversy  on  slavery 
and  Free  Masonry,  and  Mr.  McElwee,  feeling  that  his 
ministry  here  was  unfruitful,  demitted  his  charges  and 
removed  to  Pennsylvania,  and  became  a  minister  of  the 
U.  P.  Church,  where  he  died  a  few  years  ago. 

About  1835  Sharon  was  again  organized  into  an  A. 
R.  Church,  tradition  says  by  Rev.  Thos.  Ketchin,  who 
had  recently  come  over  from  the  Associate  Church.  The 
church  was  supplied  with  preaching  by  various  ministers 
until  Rev.  R.  A.  Ross  was  called  by  Sharon,  in  connec- 
tion with  Smyrna  and  Olivet,  both  in  York  Co.  He  was 
ordained  and  installed  in  Dec,  1843,  and  continued  pas- 
tor until  1893.  This  was  a  long  and  remarkable  pastorate 
of  fifty  years. 

The  Synod  met  with  this  church  in  (let.,  1893,  and 
joined  with  the  congregation  in  celebrating  with  appro- 
priate exercises  the  semi-centennial  of  this  long  and  use- 
ful ])astorate.  Dr.  Ross  was  too  feeble  to  attend  these 
exercises,  and  died  shortly  after,  on  Nov.  25th,  1893. 


SKETCHES  OF  COXGREGATIOXS. 


579 


The  congregation  was  vacant  until  1896,  being  supplied 
principally  by  Revs.  W.  S.  Castles,  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco 
and  J.   E.  Johnson. 

On  July  23rd,  1896,  Rev.  J.  S.  Grier  was  installed, 
and  continues  pastor  at  the  present  time.  The  session 
of  Sharon,  at  the  present  time,  consists  of  Samuel  Blair, 
J.  P.  Blair,  R.  A.  Gilfillan,  W.  M.  Ross,  W.  S.  Love,  R. 
H.  G.  Caldwell,  S.  A.  Mitchell,  J.  H.  Shever,  S.  A.  Gil- 
fillan, \\'.  A.  ]\Ialoney  and  J.  L.  Rainey. 

Shiloli,  Lafayette  Co.,  Miss. — Was  a  charter  member 
of  the  Memphis  Presbytery.  An  organization  had  been 
effected  prior  to  1853,  the  exact  date  of  which  is  not  re- 
corded. It  was  supplied  occasionally  with  preaching  un- 
til Rev.  J.  H.  Strong  was  installed  pastor  Nov.  20,  1857. 
This  relation  continued  until  April  23,  1864,  when  it  was 
dissolved,  the  congregation  having  become  too  weak 
from  removals  to  sustain  a  pastor,  and  the  Civil  War 
having  deranged  everything.  Rev.  Calvin  Pressly  was 
pastor  from  1872  to  :\Iay  2,  1879.  Thence  it  was  sup- 
plied at  irregular  intervals  until  recent  years,  when  ser- 
vices were  practically  discontinued.  The  Presbvterv,  on 
request  of  the  few  surviving  members,  authorized  the 
selling  of  the  old  house  of  worship,  the  proceeds  to  be 
used  on  the  graveyard.  Shiloh  was  at  one  time  a  large 
and  promising  congregation.  There  were  some  strong 
Christian  characters  among  its  membership.  But  the  tide 
of  emigration  was  insurmountable  and  to-day  Shiloh 
is  but  a  memory.  A  few  families  still  remain  true  to 
the  faith  of  the  fathers.  But  her  work  abides  in  other 
congregations  built  up  and  strengthened  by  the  deple- 
tion of  her  own  ranks. 

Shelby,  or  Shelbyvillc.  Ky. — The  name  occurs  on  the 
minutes  of  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Kentucky,  in  1802. 
The  name  of  Revs.  David  Risk.  W.  H.  Rainev,  Abra- 
ham Craig,  James  McChord  and  others,  appear  as  hav- 


580       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

ing  supplied  the  church  at  intervals,  for  a  number  of 
years. 

It  was  embraced  in  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  Kentucky, 
Synod  of  the  South,  at  its  organization,  Dec.  16,  1842; 
Rev.  N.  M.  Gordon  was  installed  pastor  Aug.  i6th,  1843. 
Asked  to  be  released  May  8,  1846,  but  Presbytery  de- 
clined. He  continued  as  pastor  until  October  13,  1870. 
The  case  of  W.  C.  Drake  sending  his  children  to  a  Cath- 
olic school  was  brought  before  the  Presbytery  in  1849. 
Mr.  Drake  withdrew  the  children  from  the  school.  The 
work  was  abandoned  in  1870,  when  Mr.  Gordon  changed 
his  church  connection  to  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  Presbytery  appointed  a  Committee  to  dis- 
pose of  the  property.  In  1873  (Oct.  22),  they  reported 
that  the  lot  was  occupied  in  part  by  an  old  cemetery, 
fenced  on  three  sides  by  a  stone  wall,  and  that  the  en- 
tire lot  was  grown  up  in  weeds  and  bushes. 

Aug.  31,  1877,  Committee  had  made  no  disposition  of 
it,  but  was  discharged,  and  the  matter  dropped. 

At  present  the  Carnegie  Public  Library  building  oc- 
cupies part  of  the  lot. 

Rev.  John  W.  Finley  was  born  in  this  congregation, 
though  his  parents  removed  at  an  early  day  to  Mt.  Zion, 
Mo. 

Shiloh,  Anderson  Co.,  S.  C. — Organized  in  the  thirties. 
Rev.  J.  C.  Chalmers  became  pastor  May,  1840,  having 
supplied  them  some  time  before.  The  congregation 
ceased  to  exist  by  emigrating  almost  in  a  body  in  the 
fall  of  1844  to,  and  formed,  Hopewell  church,  Union  Co., 
Miss. 

Shiloh,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C. — Shiloh  church  is  situated 
about  three  miles  from  the  town  of  Lancaster,  in  Lan- 
caster Co.,  S.  C.  It  is  probable  that  it  was  organized 
about  1802,  as  the  date  on  the  oldest  tombstone  in  the 
graveyard  shows  that  the  death  occurred  in  1802.    It  was 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      581 

formed  by  a  division  of  Old  Waxhaw  and  became  an 
Associate  Church.  In  181 1,  it  united  with  Neely's  Creek, 
and  Big  Spring-,  in  Chester  Co.,  in  a  call  to  Rev.  ]\Iushat, 
which  he  declined.  The  first  deed  of  land,  of  which  any 
record  can  be  found,  is  dated  Oct.  5th,  182 1.  This  was 
a  deed  from  John  Craig  to  the  Waxhaw  Associate 
Church,  known  by  the  name  of  Shiloh  church. 

It  was  supplied  with  preaching  by  the  Associate  Pres- 
bytery of  the  Carolinas.  Rev.  Thos.  Ketchin  was  pastor 
from  Dec,  1821,  until  May  29th,  1839.  He  died  Sept. 
26th,  1855,  ^^^  ^^^^^  first  buried  at  Nob  Creek,  and  his 
remains  w^ere  afterwards  taken  to  Shiloh.  This  congre- 
gation, with  its  pastor,  Mr.  Ketchin,  declined  the  author- 
ity of  the  Associate  Church  March  28th.  1832,  and  w^ere 
received  by  the  First  Presbytery  of  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church,  April  7th,  1834. 

Rev.  S.  C.  IMillen  was  pastor  from  Nov.  17th,  1841,  to 
Oct.  4th,  1845.  Rev.  D.  P.  Robinson  was  pastor  from 
Nov.  3rd.  1848,  to  Sept.  3rd,   1868. 

Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly  was  pastor  from  1871  to  1883. 

Rev.  W.  A.  M.  Plaxco  was  pastor  from  Oct.  i8th, 
1884,  to  Oct.  5th,  1891. 

Rev.  W.  C.  Ewart  was  installed  Aug-.  5th,  1892,  and 
continues  pastor  until  the  present  time. 

Si)iking  Creek,  Greenbrier  Co.,  West  Va. — Doubtless 
an  old  Associate  church  seeking  admission  in  to  the  Big 
Spring  A.  R.  Presbytery.  Dr.  Scouller  says :  In  April, 
1808,  a  petition,  signed  by  over  60  names,  was  received 
from  "the  inhabitants  about  Sinking  Creek,  Greenbrier 
Co.,"  asking  to  be  recognized  as  "a  church  under  your 
care,  being  desirous  to  have  the  gospel  preached 
amongst  us.  more  according  to  the  Reformation  than 
hitherto  we  have  had  it :  and  being  favored  with  a  copy 
of  the  testimony  published  by  the  Associate  Reformed 
Synod,  and  being  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  principles 
of  your  church." 


582       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Rev.  Wm.  Adair  preached  for  them  from  1809  to  May 
25.  18 14.  We  have  no  records  to  show  their  subsecjitent 
history. 

Sinynia,  Ga. — Along  in  the  40's  or  50's  of  last  cen- 
tury some  of  the  most  prominent  elders  and  members  of 
Bethel, Ga.,  were  accustomed  to  spend  the  summers  at  Pine 
Hill.  In  this  way  Dr.  Phillips  began  to  preach  there  for 
their  benefit.  A  church  was  built  for  this  purpose,  and 
was  jointly  used  by  the  A.  R.  P.'s  and  the  Methodists. 
When  this  building  became  dilapidated,  the  Methodists 
built  a  new  house  across  the  branch  and  this  in  turn  was 
used  by  both  Methodists  and  A.  R.  P.'s.  When  Rev. 
J.  C.  Galloway  became  pastor  of  Bethel  and  Louisville, 
Ga.,  he  gave  Pine  Hill  one  Sabbath  evening  each  month, 
and  the  fifth  Sabbaths.  About  the  year  1880  a  church 
was  by  him  organized  in  the  present  Methodist  church 
of  Pine  Hill,  with  33  members,  and  Messrs.  A.  S.  Mox- 
ley  and  Wm.  Woods,  elders.  There  were  no  deacons. 
Soon  after  this,  steps  were  taken  to  build  an  A.  R.  church 
and  a  lot  was  donated  by  Mr.  Jos.  Moxley,  of  Moxley, 
Ga.,  and  the  present  neat  frame  building  was  erected  and 
dedicated  by  the  pastor  in  the  summer  of  1884.  , 

The  congregation  was  never  strong  in  either  numbers 
or  wealth,  and  is  at  present  almost  disorganized. 

Smyrna,  Stcz^'orf  Co.,  Ga. — Organized  July  28,  1838, 
with  26  members  of  Associates,  Covenanters  and  A.  R. 
P.'s.  John  Cunning,  James  Little,  Forester  Little,  Eb- 
enezer  E.  Little,  Richard  F.  Pendry,  were  elders ;  Robt. 
Beaty,  deacon.  They  made  unsuccessful  efiforts  to  obtain 
as  pastor  Revs.  James  Walker,  Andrew  McElroy  and 
A.  Sloan.  They  were  supplied  occasionally  by  Revs. 
J.  S.  Prcssly,  '44,  A.  McElroy,  '45.  Rev.  J.  N.  McCain 
began  labors  early  in  1849,  accepted  and  became  pastor 
in  spring  of  1850.  Had  in  '53  twenty-three  families  and 
forty-three  members.  Passed  with  Rev.  McCain  into 
the   Presbyterian  church  about    \S(^6. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  583 

Siiiynia,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C- — Smyrna  is  situated  about 
five  miles  east  of  Chester,  S.  C,  and  is  an  old  Associate 
Church,  and  was  never  in  connection  with  the  Associate 
Reformed  Church,  althou.e^h  it  was  used  by  them  occa- 
sionally after  it  w'as  abandoned  as  an  Associate  Church. 
It  appears  on  the  roll  of  the  Associate  Synod  in  1822. 
Rev.  James  Lyle  was  pastor  of  Smyrna  in  connection 
with  AVinnsboro  and  Little  River  or  Sterling's  meeting 
house,  from  May  4th.  1825.  until  he  demitted  his  charge 
in  1834.  He  seems  to  have  been  the  only  pastor  Smyrna 
ever  had. 

In  1822  it  had  twenty  families  and  forty  members,  in 
1829,  twenty-nine  families  and  sixty  members,  in  1840, 
eighteen   families  and  fifty  members. 

It  was  at  this  church,  in  Aug.,  1840.  that  Rev.  Thomas 
S.  Kendall  was  arrested  by  a  band  of  men,  and  taken  to 
Cockerell's,  in  Fairfield  Co.,  and  was  given  a  coat  of  tar 
and  feathers,  for  preaching  against  slavery,  and  reading 
a  letter  to  the  churches  from  the  Associate  Synod  on 
that  subject. 

The  church,  soon  after  this,  ceased  to  be  a  regular 
preaching  place.  Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  and  Rev.  W.  Y.  Love 
of  the  A.  R.  church,  preached  there  some  in  the  70's,  but 
it  is  not  used  now.  The  old  dilapidated  building  is  still 
standing. 

After  the  tarring  and  feathering  of  Mr.  Kendall,  al- 
though it  was  done  by  a  gang  from  another  section,  a 
blight  seemed  to  fall  on  the  church,  and  though  efforts 
were  made  by  various  denominations  to  build  up  a  church 
there,  every  eflfort  failed. 

Sinyrjia,  York  Co.,  S.  C. — About  the  year  1832,  Wil- 
liam McGill,  Esq.,  removed  from  Crowder's  Creek,  York 
Co.,  to  King's  Creek,  York  Co.  About  the  same  time 
three  brothers,  by  the  name  of  Black,  moved  into  the 
same  neighborhood  from  Diamond  Hill.  Abbeville  Co. 
S.  C.        ^ 


584       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Mr.  McGill  had  been  a  member  of  the  Associate 
Church  of  Bethany,  S.  C,  and  the  Blacks  of  the  Associ- 
ate Reformed  Church  at  Diamond  Hill,  and  they  agreed 
to  join  forces  and  procure  some  preaching.  At  the  re- 
quest of  these  men,  Rev.  Thos.  Ketchin  preached  at  the 
home  of  Mr.  McGill  some  time  in  the  year  1834.  This 
was  the  first  movement  toward  the  organization  of  a 
church.  Soon  afterwards,  seven  families  living  in  the 
northern  outskirts  of  Sharon  congregation,  united  with 
Mr.  McGill  and  the  Blacks,  and  built  a  stand  near  where 
the  present  church  stands,  probably  in  1834,  and  there 
preaching  was  held. 

In  the  year  1835,  Mr.  John  Darwin,  a  generous  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church,  donated  the  land  on 
which  the  present  church  now  stands,  and  a  small  build- 
ing was  erected.  During  the  early  years  of  this  church 
it  was  supplied  with  preaching  by  Revs.  Thos  Ketchin, 
Eleazer  Harris,  John  and  David  Pressly,  Joseph 
McCreary,  L.  C.  Martin,  R.  C.  Grier  and  J.  H.  Boyce. 
It  was  formally  organized  in  1843,  by  Rev.  R.  C.  Grier. 

In  the  same  year  it  united  with  Sharon  and  Olivet,  in 
a  call  to  Rev.  R.  A.  Ross,  and  he  was  installed  in  Dec, 
1843.  In  1852,  Dr.  Ross  resigned,  and  soon  after  Smyr- 
na united  with  Sardis,  in  Union  Co.,  in  a  call  to  Rev.  J. 
R.  Castles,  and  he  was  installed  in  1854.  During  the 
pastorate  of  Mr.  Castles,  a  larger  and  more  substantial 
building  was  erected.  Mr.  Castles  demitted  his  charge 
in  1862,  on  account  of  ill  health. 

In  1863,  Rev.  Monroe  Gates  was  installed,  and  de- 
mitted this  charge  in  1868,  and  removed  to  Arkansas. 

From  1868  to  1871,  the  church  was  supplied  chiefly 
by  Revs.  Robt.  Lathan  and  R.  A.  Ross. 

In  1871,  Rev.  R.  A.  Ross  was  installed  for  half  his 
time,  and  continued  pastor  until  the  latter  part  of  1890 
or  early  part  of  1891,  when  on  account  of  age  and  infirm- 
ity, he  resip-ned. 

In  1873,  the  church  was  burned  by  an  incendiary,  and 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


58; 


another  church  was  built  on  the  same  site.  During  the 
pastorate  of  Dr.  Ross,  Hickory  Grove  congregation  was 
organized  out  of  a  part  of  the  membership  of  Smyrna. 
Rev.  J.  P.  Knox  was  instahed  pastor  of  Smyrna  and 
Hickory  Grove  Dec.  3rd,  1891,  and  continued  pastor  un- 
til May,  1899.  Rev.  J.  L.  Gates  was  installed  over  the 
united  charge  of  Smyrna  and  Hickory  Grove  in  March, 
1900,  and  still  continues  the  pastor. 

During  the  lifetime  of  Smyrna,  it  has  had  a  steady 
growth ;  its  members  are  liberal  and  well  grounded  in  the 
faith,  and  while  it  has  lost  a  great  many  by  removals  at 
various  times,  yet  it  still  ranks  as  one  of  the  best  coun- 
try congregations  in  the  Synod. 

The  elders  at  Smyrna  at  present  are :  Thomas  McGill, 
R.  M.  Plaxco,  J.  B.  Whitesides,  W.  M.  Whitesides,  J.  A. 
McGill.   T.  E.  Castles,  and   T-   W.  Ouinn. 


.xlL.->\lLl,t,     .\. 


Statcsz'illc.  Iredell  Co.,  X.  C. — A  few  families  having 
removed  from  Stirling,  among  them  the  Millers  and  the 
Pattersons,  the  missionary  Pressly  began,  about  1868, 
to  preach  here  once  a  month.  A  small  congregation 
was  organized  in  a  hall,  Aug.  7,  1869.  The  court  house 
being  used   a   short  time,   the   Presbvterians  courteouslv 


586       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

tendered  the  use  of  their  building  one  Sabbath  each 
month.  A  most  centrally  located  lot  was  donated  by  Col. 
J.  S.  Miller,  and  a  neat  and  handsome  brick  building  was 
erected  largely  by  the  liberality  of  the  donator  of  the 
lot,  and  Col.  A.  S.  Sharpe.  Early  in  1875,  this  church 
was  dedicated  by  Rev.  W.  B.  Pressly.  The  Presbyterian 
congregation  whose  building  had  been  used  for  some 
six  years,  and  Dr.  W.  A.  Wood,  the  pastor,  adjourned 
to  rejoice  with  Bro.  Pressly  and  his  people  on  this  happy 
occasion.  There  was  considerable  debt  on  the  church, 
but  it  was  held  by  the  big  hearted  Col.  J.  S.  Miller,  who 
said  to  the  writer,  "A  church  never  prospers  under  a 
debt.  I  will  just  burn  it  out."  Rev.  W.  B.  Pressly  con- 
tinued to  supply  one-fourth  time  till  May  17,  1878,  when 
he  was  installed  pastor.  This  affectionate  relation  was 
dissolved  by  his  sudden  and  lamented  death.  Sabbath 
night,  Nov.  25,  1883.  Rev.  Dallas  Grier  Caldwell  was 
installed  May  30,  1885,  and  resigned  Oct.  22,  1891.  Rev. 
James  Hearst  Pressly  was  ordained  and  installed  Aug.  4, 
1892.  He  still  continues  the  popular  and  successful  pas- 
tor, the  congregation  having  grown  from  1 1 1  members 
to  over  300  in  about  1 1  years. 

The  first  elders  were  R.  R.  and  George  White,  Col. 
A.  M.  Walker  and  John  Patterson.  Present  bench  of 
elders :  J.  K.  Morrison,  W.  W.  White.  J.  W.  White,  L. 
M.  C.  Davidson,  A.  D.  Kistler,  Y.  D.  Miller  and  W.  P. 
McLain. 

A  cyclone  partially  wrecked  the  building  June  10, 
1899.  While  they  were  rebuilding,  enlarging  and  re- 
pairing to  the  extent  of  $6,000,  the  Jewish  Synagogue 
was  kindly  tendered  and  thankfully  accepted  as  a  place 
of  worship. 

Steele  Creek.  N.  C. — As  early  as  ^77S^  ^  few  families 
of  Burghers  and  Anti-Burghers  from  Antrim  Co.,  Ire- 
land, settled  on  the  waters  of  Steele  Creek,  in  Mecklen- 
burg Co.,  N.  C. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIOXS.  587 

These  families  formed  themselves  into  a  Society  for 
religious  worship.  The  names  of  the  earliest  preachers 
who  supplied  them  were  Revs.  Martin,  Miller,  Renwick, 
Clark,  Boyce,  and  others.  Some  time  in  1792  or  1793, 
Rev.  William  Blackstocks  arrived  from  Ireland,  and  in 
1794,  organized  a  church  at  Lower  Steele  Creek,  and 
which  was  commonly  known  as  Blackstock's  church. 

This  church  was  situated  just  over  the  State  line,  in 
York  Co.,  S.  C.  Rev.  Blackstocks  served  the  church  as 
pastor  until  1806.  In  the  first  part  of  his  pastorate,  an 
unhappy  division  occurred  among  the  people  on  the  sub- 
ject of  fasting  in  connection  with  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper.  This  resulted  in  the  separation  of  some 
families  and  their  organization  into  the  society  of  Little 
Steele  Creek.  They  placed  themselves  under  the  care 
of  the  Associate  Synod  of  North  America.  They  were 
supplied  by  the  following  ministers :  Dr.  Anderson, 
Revs.  Crie,  White,   Henderson  and  others. 

A  call  was  made  out  for  Rev.  Henderson,  but  he  died 
before  the  call  reached  him,  while  he  was  on  his  return 
to  the  North.  Revs.  Mushat  and  Herron  supplied  them 
until  1814,  when  a  call  was  made  out  for  and  accepted 
by  Rev.  Thomas  Pringle.  He  served  them  until  his  death 
in  1 81 8.  Rev.  A.  Anderson  was  installed  in  1821,  and 
served  until  1833.  Rev.  Archibald  Whyte  succeeded 
him,  and  remained  until  the  spring  of  1840.  During  Mr. 
Whyte's  pastorate,  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  the  Car- 
olinas  separated  from  the  Associate  Synod,  and  in  1844, 
the  church  was  received  into  the  Associate  Reformed 
church,  and  united  with  Lower  Steele  Creek,  and  called 
Rev.  James  B.  Watt.  We  now  go  back  to  Lower  Steele 
Creek.  Rev.  Blackstocks  served  as  pastor  until  t8o6, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Isaac  Grier,  D.  D.,  who  faith- 
fully served  them  as  pastor  until  1843.  I"  the  following 
year,  1844,  the  union  between  the  Associate  Presbytery 
and  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  South  occurred,  and  the  two 
congregations  again  became  one,  and  called  Rev.  J-   B. 


588       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

\\'att.  Mr.  Watt  continued  as  pastor  until  1858,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Chalmers,  who  was  installed 
Oct.  29th,  1858,  and  continued  pastor  until  Dec,  1881. 
Mr.  Chalmers  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  E.,  McDonald, 
who  was  installed  Nov.  3rd,  1882,  and  served  until  March 
27th,  1892. 

During  Mr.  McDonald's  pastorate,,  the  present  church 
building  was  erected  in  1883.  While  there  was  only  one 
congregation  after  the  union  in  1844,  yet  there  were  two 
places  of  preaching,  Little  Steele  ,  Creek,  and  Lower 
Steele  Creek,  and  the  pastor  divided  his  time  between  the 
two.  The  churches  were  eight  miles  apart,  and  were 
situated  at  opposite  edges  of(the  congregation,  and  it  had 
long  been  felt  that  one  church  in  the  centre  of  the  con- 
gregation would  be  better  for  all,  and  so,  in  the  year 
1883,, a  new  church  about  midway  between  the  two  was 
built,  and  was  dedicated  in  Jan.,  1884,  Rev.  W.  T.  Wal- 
ler preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

During  the  pastorate  also  of  Mr.  McDonald,:  the  pres- 
ent elegant  and  commodious  parsonage  was  built,  and 
was  first  occupied  in  June,  1888.  Rev.  R.  L.  Grier  was 
the  next  pastor,  .serving  from  Aug.  12th,  1893,  until 
March  31st,  1897.  Rev.  S.  J.  Patterson  succeeded  Mr. 
Grier  and  was  installed  Nov.  19th,  1898,  and  remained 
pastor  until  Feb.  loth,  1902,  when  he  resigned  to  accept 
the  appointment  of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  to  the 
Mission  in  Memphis,  Tenn.  Mr.  Patterson  was  com- 
pelled, on  account  of  his  health,  to  give  up  his  work  in 
Memphis,  and  as  the  congregation  was  still  vacant,  they 
made  out  a  call  for  him,  which  he  accepted  and  was  re- 
installed Dec.  I2th,  1902,  and  still  continues  pastor  at  this 
time. 

StarkviUe,  OkfibbeJia  Co.,  Miss. — Was  organized  in 
1840,  with  David  INTontgomery  and  Nathaniel  Weed, 
Esq.,  as  elders.  During  the  next  two  years  the  congre- 
gation was  supplied  with  pre^aching  occasionally  by  an 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      589 

appointment  of  Synod,  but  in  1842  a  call  was  made  out 
for  the  Rev.  David  Pressly,  and  he  was  installed  April 
7th,  1843.  This  pastorate  continued  for  over  42  years, 
when  it  was  dcmitted,  September  5,  1885.  During  this 
long-  and  useful  pastorate  the  church  witnessed  many 
changes.  There  were  periods  of  growth,  when  her  bor- 
ders were  enlarged  and  many  sons  and  daughters  were 
gathered  by  her  into  the  fold  of  the  Good  Shepherd. 

Men  of  large  means  and  influence  were  numbered 
among  her  members,  and  from  day  to  day  the 
faithful  gathered  about  her  altars  to  worship  God. 
But  periods  of  darkness  and  adversity  were  also  ex- 
perienced. The  ravages  of  the  War  left  many 
homes  desolate  and  in  poverty.  Emigration  to  the 
farther  West  in  search  of  better  and  cheaper 
lands  depleted  their  ranks,  and  greatly  reduced  their 
strength.  Rev.  J.  S.  Mills  preached  there  during  1885, 
and  Rev.  F.  Y.  Pressly  was  stated  supply  from  1887- 
1890.  About  this  time  effort  was  made  to  induce  the 
immigration  of  Psalm-singers  from  the  north  and  north- 
west, but  with  only  partial  success.  The  purpose  of  this 
was  two-fold, — to  build  up  the  local  church  and  to  con- 
tribute what  it  might  toward  inducing  general  immigra- 
tion from  the  more  crowded  sections  of  the  country  to 
the  rich  but  cheaper  lands  of  the  South,  believing  that 
the  bringing  of  representatives  of  the  Psalm-singing 
churches  into  living  contact  with  each  other  the  day  of 
the  organic  union  of  these  bodies  would  be  hastened. 
Prompted  by  the  same  desire  for  union,  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  Memphis  Presbytery,  May  2,  1891,  re- 
questing to  be  allowed  to  withdraw  in  order  to  connect 
with  the  United  Presbyterian  church  and  the  same  was 
granted. 

Sugar  Grove,  Mercer  Co.,  Pa. — Was  organized  by  the 
First  A.  R.  P.  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  June.  1870.  Rev. 
James  Borrows  then  became  pastor  and  died  in  this  offi- 


590 


SKETCHES   OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


cial  relation,  May  13th,  1886.  When  the  Ohio  Presby- 
tery resolved,  May  30,  1881,  to  return  to  the  United 
Presbyterian  body,  this  congregation  passed  from  our 
roll. 

Talcraiif,  Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C. — Talerant  church,  in 
Lancaster  Co.,  S.  C,  appears  upon  the  roll  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  the  Carolinas  in  1824,  and  lived  about  four 
years,   and  then   disappears.  , 

Tallahassee,  (Gadsden)  nozv  probably  Leon  Co.,  Fla. 
■ — On  the  roll  1830.  Doubtless  visited  by  Revs.  Wm. 
Blackstock,  '28,  and  J.  T.  Pressly,  '30,  and  organized  by 
one  of  them. 

Taylorsvillc,  Alexander  Co.,  N.  C. — Was  organized 
June  13,  1896.  The  members  of  Hiddenite  in  and  near 
town  were  increased  by  revivals  conducted  by  Rev.  J.  H. 
Pressly,  assisted  by  Revs.  J.  C.  Boyd  and  E.  B.  Ander- 
son. The  18  members  elected  as  elders  D.  M.  Moore 
and  J.  M.  Matheson.  As  deacons,  G.  W.  Patterson  and 
W.  J.  Allen  were  chosen.  Though  small  in  numbers  and 
weak  in  finance,  this  Spartan  band  completed  a  neat  and 
comfortable  church,  1898.  Revs.  W.  M.  Hunter,  R.  E. 
Hough,  E.  F.  Griffith,  and  others  preached  as  supply. 
Rev.  W.  Y.  Love,  installed  pastor,  Nov.  i8th,  1901,  still 
continues  their  watchful  undershepherd. 

Thyatira,  Mecklenburg  Co.,  X.  C. — The  land  was  do- 
nated by  J.  R.  Hood  and  the  church  erected  1886.  Rev. 
John  Hunter's  first  sermon  in  the  new  church  and  his 
last  public  efi'ort  to  preach  was  here,  March,  i88v),  when 
he  was  stricken  with  paralysis.  Rev.  R.  G.  Miller,  D. 
D.,  continued  to  supply  this  mission  of  Sardis  from  the 
origin  of  his  i)astorate  till  an  organization  was  effected. 
J.  R.  and  J.  W.  Hood  and  R.  W.  Irwin  constituted  the 
session.  They  continue  to  enjoy  the  ministrations  of  Dr. 
Miller,  pastor  of  Sardis. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


591 


Thyafira,  Obion  Co.,  Tcini. — Is  supposed  to  have  been 
only  a  preaching  point,  and  nothing'  is  now  known  of  its 
location. 


TIMBER    RIDGE.    V.\. 


Timber  Ridge,  Rockbridge  Co..  J 'a. — Petitioned  the 
Associate  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania,  Oct.  21,  1778, 
for  ordination  of  elders  and  moderation  of  call.  Rev. 
Wm.  Logan  was  instructed  to  preach  Dec,  1778,  and 
ordain  elders,  with  assistance  of  W'm.  Finley,  John  and 
Sam  Agnew,  ruling  elders.  They  petitioned,  Alay  26th, 
1779,  for  celebration  of  the  sacrament,  and  Rev.  Jas. 
Proudfoot  was  directed  to  administer  the  Lord's  Supper, 
Oct.,  1779,  and  moderate  a  call.  Rev.  Jas.  Clarkson  was 
sent,  Oct.,  1780.  They  continued  to  petition,  but  as  the 
war  was  raging,  the  Presbytery  wrote  a  letter  of  encour- 
agement and  sympathy.  John  McCullock,  commis- 
sioner from  Timber  Ridge,  appeared  before  Presbytery, 
Oct.  31,  1781,  at  Pi(|ua.  Pa.,  and  insisted  on  supply  and 
moderation  of  a  call.  Supplies  were  promised  next 
spring,  and  diligent  in(|uiry  was  made  as  to  Timber 
Ridge's  (and  ( )1(1  I'rovivlence's)  ability  to  support  a  min- 
ister, with  this  result,  "That  the  support  proposed,  if 
punctually  paid,  might  be  a  sufificient  salary."     This  re- 


592      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

suited  in   Rev.   Jno.   Rodgers"    installation,    1783.      This 
pastorate  closed  by  his  suspension,  May  25th,  1790. 
, Tradition  says  Joseph  Little  and  Wm.   McClung,  join- 
ing lands,  each  gave  a  lot  near  Timber  Ridge  station. 
Joseph  Little  arrived  from  Ireland  early  in  1773,  and  be- 
tween that  and  1778,  the  congregation  was  organized.    A 
change  in  the  Psalmody  of  the  Presbyterian  church  was 
not  the  occasion,  as  that  was  about  1789.     A  log  church 
was  erected  on  the  aforesaid  lot.      Some  of  the  elders 
who    served    were    Wm.    McClung,    John    McCullock, 
James   Young,   Jno.    Finley,   John   McBride,   Jas.   Dick- 
son, John  Murphy,  Robt.  Cooper.    Rev.  John  Young  was 
ordained  and   installed  pastor,  Aug.   20,    1792,   and   de- 
mitted  in  summer,  1799.  Rev.  James  Harper,  lately  from 
Ireland,  supplied  a  while  in  1800.     Rev.  Wm.  Baldridge 
was  stated  supply,   1803- 1809. 

For  eleven  years  Timber  Ridge  was  occasionally  sup- 
plied by  Big  Spring  Presbytery.  Rev.  Jas.  Brown,  while 
declining  a  call,  served  two  years,  beginning  1820.  James 
McClung,  Andrew  Scott  and  David  Taylor  were  elders 
about  this  date.  , 

There  were  two  causes  that  led  to  a  change  in  name 
and  ecclesiastical  relation.  First,  under  the  influence 
largely  of  Dr.  John  Anderson  and  Rev.  Wm.  Dixon, 
there  was  a  considerable  accession  to  the  Associate  Pres- 
bytery of  the  Carolinas.  Some  time  after  this,  the  Asso- 
ciate Presbyterians  began  preaching  on  the  Ridge  and 
were,  in  181 5,  enabled  with  Ebenezer  to  settle  a  minister. 
Second,  There  was  a  forced  tmion.  May,  1822,  between 
a  part  of  the  General  Synod  A.  R.  P.  and  the  Presbyte- 
rians. This  caused  many  divisions  and  as  usual  left 
many  congregations  without  a  pastor.  The  record  shows 
that  the  growing  Associate  church  on  the  Ridge  absorbed 
the  declining  Associate  Reformed.  Rev.  Andrew  Heron, 
D.  D.,  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor,  April  i,  1815. 
Dr.  Heron  demitted  after  a  faithful  ministry,  Aug.  i, 
1832.  Andrew  Kinnear,  Jas.  Harper,  Jas.  Taylor  and 
Aniel  Rogers,  ordained  Aug.  4,  1826,  served  as  elders. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      593 

Rev.  H.  Thompson  began  labors  Sept.  i,  1833,  and 
was  ordained  and  installed  Alarch,  1834.  This  congre- 
gation went  cordially  into  the  union,  April  16,  1844,  with 
the  First  Presbytery  (A.  R.  P.).  Difference  of  opinion 
having  arisen  about  1854,  as  to  the  joint  use  of  the  stone 
church,  it  was  thought  best  for  the  A.  R.  Presbyterians 
to  build.  Dr.  Thompson  deeded  a  lot  and  a  beautiful  brick 
church  was  erected  and  dedicated  in  May,  1857. 

Dr.  Thompson's  long  ministry  and  residence  was  a 
precious  privilege  that  but  few  congregations  enjoy,  and 
ceased  at  his  death,  May  6,  1882.  Rev.  S.  W.  Haddon 
began  as  assistant,  Feb.  6,  1881,  and  served  as  state  sup- 
ply till  1892.  The  elders  who  served  during  Dr.  Thomp- 
son's ministry  were  Joseph  Kirkpatrick,  Alexander  Pat- 
ton,  Wm.  A.  McClung,  Wm.  B.  Dixon  and  John  Nelson, 
and  J.  A.  Thompson  in  1890.  Rev.  E.  F.  Griffith  was  in- 
stalled Oct.  14th,  1893,  and  resigned  Nov.  i8th,  1896. 
Rev.  D.  P.  Neill  began  stated  labors  first  Sabbath,  July, 
1897,  and  installed  July  i,  1898.  W.  B.  Douglass  and 
F.  L.  McClung  were,  in  1898,  ordained  elders.  Timber 
Ridge,  with  Old  Providence,  is  the  oldest  pastorate  in 
Synod. 

She  has  also  another  distinction.  Wm.  M.  McClung, 
Jas.  B.  McClung,  Wm.  A.  McClung  and  Frank  L. 
McClung,  father,  son,  grandson  and  great-grandson  rul- 
ing elders  in  the  same  congregation  in  regular  succes- 
sion. 

Tirzah,  (Waxhazv),  Union  Co.,  N.  C. — Preaching  in 
this  section,  the  birthplace  of  President  Jackson,  began 
early,  as  a  church  called  Waxhaw  was  organized  before 
1790.  They  were  doubtless  supplied  at  long  intervals  by 
Revs.  Thomas  Clark,  Jas.  Martin,  Wm.  Blackstocks,  Jas. 
Rogers  and  others.  April  8,  1801,  the  Second  Presbytery 
was  requested  to  send  Rev.  Jas.  McAulay,  with  a  view  to 
settlement  on  $400.00  salary.  This  plan  miscarried,  yet 
he  supplied  awhile.  Revs.  Peter  McMullen.  Robt.  Ir- 
38 


594      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

win,  Jas.  Magill  and  Alexander  Porter  dispensed  at  in- 
tervals the  word. 

Dr.  Isaac  Grier  was  pastor,  Oct.  19,  1804-1808.  Pos- 
sibly as  early  as  1803,  a  part  of  the  congregation  joined 
the  recently  formed  Associate  Presbytery,  and  were 
known  as  Waxhaw,  and  now  Shiloh,  Lancaster  Co., 
S.  C. 

Rev.  Wm.  Blackstock  became  pastor  of  Tirzah,  181 1, 
and  resigned  Nov.  9,  1827.  There  were  54  families  and 
III  members  in  1822  and  69  families  and  174  members, 
1830.  Supplied  by  First  Presbytery,  Dr.  S.  C.  Millen 
was  ordained  and  installed  Nov.  17,  1841,  and  resigned 
Oct.  4,  1845.  Rev.  D.  P.  Robinson  was  ordained  and 
installed  Nov.  3,  1848,  and  resigned  April  17,  1871.  The 
majority  of  the  congregation  joined  the  General  Assem- 
ly  Presbyterians  Dec.  i8th,  1871. 

Tirzah,  York  Co.,  S.  C. — Some  time  previous  to  1800, 
there  was  a  preaching  station  at  Joseph  Miller's,  several 
miles  west  of  where  Tirzah  church  now  stands,  and  there 
was  also  an  A.  R.  church  at  Ebenezer.  The  attempt  to 
introduce  Watts  Hymns  into  the  Ebenezer  church  caused 
trouble,  and  those  members  in  Ebenezer  who  would  have 
nothing  but  the  Psalms,  united  with  these  Associ- 
ates who  worshipped  at  Joseph  Miller's,  and  organized 
Tirzah  congregation,  and  located  it  seven  miles  south- 
east of  Yorkville,  on  the  Yorkville  and  Landsford  road. 

The  organization  was  effected  about  1803.  Rev.  Peter 
McMullen  is  said  to  have  presided  at  the  organization, 
and  the  first  elders  were :  Joseph  IMiller,  Thos.  Barron, 
Samuel  Barron  and  Charles  McElwain. 

The  first  church  was  built  of  logs.  Revs.  Wm.  Dixon, 
Eleazer  Harris,  John  Cree,  and  Isaac  Grier,  preached  as 
supplies  at  Tirzah.  In  1827,  Rev.  Wm.  M.  McElwee 
was  installed  pastor  of  Tirzah  and  Sharon,  and  continued 
until  1832,  when  he  demitted  his  charge  and  went  North 
on  account  of  the  slavery  question.  A  new  house  of  wor- 
ship was  erected  in  1827. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      595 

Rev.  Thos.  Ketchin  preached  there  after  Air.  McEhvee 
left.  It  continued  to  be  an  Associate  Church  until  1834, 
at  which  time  it  came  into  the  A.  R.  Presbytery  of  the 
Carolinas  and  Georgia. 

Rev.  Laughlin  McDonald  was  pastor  from  Dec,  1839, 
until  Oct.,  185 1.  Rev.  S.  C.  Millen  was  pastor  from 
1852  until  1855.  In  1857,  the  church  was  moved  to  a 
more  central  location,  two  miles  north  of  where  it  stood, 
and  was  located  where  the  present  church  now  stands. 
In  1859,  R^"^-  Robert  Lathan,  D.  D.,  was  installed  over 
Tirzah  and  Yorkville,  and  continued  until  1884,  when 
he  was  called  to  a  chair  in  Erskine  Seminary.  Rev.  J.  C. 
Galloway,  D.  D.,  was  installed  in  1884,  and  demitted  his 
charge  in  1893.  Rev.  B.  H.  Grier  was  installed  in  1894, 
and  resigned  in  1901. 

A  few  years  ago,  a  beautiful  and  modern  church 
building  was  erected,  which  is  an  ornament  to  the  com- 
munity. Tirzah,  like  many  of  our  country  congrega- 
tions, has  been  very  much  weakened  by  the  removal  of 
many  of  its  members  to  the  towns  and  cities,  but  it  is 
still  a  hale  and  vigorous  congregation.  Since  Rev.  B. 
H.  Grier  left,  in  1 901,  this  church  has  been  vacant. 

Thompson  Street  A.  R.  P.  Church,  Xczcberry.  S.  C. — 
Was  organized  in  1850.  The  church  was  erected  on  a  lot 
donated  by  Dr.  Thomas  W.  Thompson.  At  the  organi- 
zation of  the  churcJi,  Drs.  William  ]\Ic]\Iorries  and 
Thomas  W.  Thompson  were  elected  and  ordained  as 
Ruling  Elders.  Prof.  William  Mood  also  soon  after  be- 
came a  Ruline  Elder. 

Thompson  Street  and  King's  Creek  churches  united 
in  a  call  to  Rev.  H.  L.  Muri)hy.  He  was  installed  in 
1853.  and  labored  very  successfully  until  the  close  of  the 
war  in  1865.  At  that  time  the  conditions  were  such  as  to 
discourage  him.  Hence  he  resigned  his  charge  and 
moved  to  ^^'est  Temiessee.  Eor  several  years  following 
the  resignation  of  Mr.  Murphy  the  church  was  very  ir- 


596       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

regularly  supplied.  Dr.  W.  M.  Grier  labored  there  one 
year  as   stated   supply. 

In  1870,  Rev.  E.  P.  McClintock  began  preaching  at 
Thompson  Street  and  King's  Creek.  In  1871,  he  re- 
ceived a  call  to  the  joint  pastorate  and  was  installed  the 
same  year.  This  pastorate  continued  for  twelve  years. 
In  1883,  Dr.  McClintock  moved  to  the  town  of  New- 
berry. He  then  demitted  his  charge  of  King's  Creek 
and  devoted  his  whole  time  to  Thompson  Street. 

The  present  officers  are :  Rev.  E.  P.  McClintock,  pas- 
tor; M.  A.  Carlisle,  George  S.  Mower,  John  C.  Wilson 
and  James  F.  Todd,  Ruling  Elders,  and  E.  C.  Jones,  S. 
B.  Jones,  F.  M.  Martin,  and  Edwin  Carlisle,  deacons. 

The  membership  at  organization  was  nine  and  at  the 
present  time  it  is  one  hundred  and  twenty.  The  church 
is  well  organized,  having  the  usual  number  of  auxiliary 
societies. 

Thompson  Street  church  has  been  a  liberal  supporter 
of  the  institutions  and  missions  of  the  A.  R.  P.  church, 
and  has  had  a  marked  influence  on  the  moral  and  spirit- 
ual life  of  the  town  of  Newberry.  , 

Troy,  S.  C. — A.  R.  P.  church  was  organized  June  4, 
1882,  by  a  commission  of  the  Second  Presbytery.  Prior 
to  the  organization,  Dr.  H.  T.  Sloan  had  occasionally 
preached  in  the  village  of  Troy.  The  organization  fol- 
lowed as  an  immediate  result  of  his  preaching.  Dr. 
Sloan  continued  to  supply  this  congregation,  and  in  1883, 
he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church.  On  his  de- 
clining, a  call  was  made  out  for  Dr.  J.  C.  Galloway,  who 
also  declined.  In  1884,  Rev.  R.  F.  Bradley  having  ac- 
cepted a  call,  he  was  installed  soon  after,  the  spring 
meeting  of  Presbytery  of  the  same  year.  Five  years 
later,  in  April,  1889,  he  demitted  the  charge.  Dr.  Rob- 
ert Lathan  was  the  principal  supply  until  Rev.  T.  W. 
Sloan  accepted  a  call  in  1890,  and  labored  in  this  field 
until  1895,  when  he  demitted  the  charge.  Rev.  D.  G. 
Caldwell    supplied   the   church   bi-monthly   until   the   fall 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


597 


TROV,    s.    c. 

meeting  of  Presbytery,  when  Rev.  Mr.  Sloan  returned  to 
Troy  and  was  again  installed  pastor,  remaining  until 
1900,  when  he  again  demitted  the  charge.  Rev.  D.  G. 
Phillips  supplied  the  church  until  Rev.  H.  B.  Blakely 
accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate,  in  190 1. 

The  church  building  was  erected  in  1882,  and  remod- 
eled in  1886. 

Two  of  our  missionaries,  ]\Iiss  Lavinia  Xeel.  and  ]\Irs. 
Dr.  Kate  Neel  Dale,  are  daughters  of  Dr.  J.  D.  Xeel,  an 
elder  of  the  Troy  church.  , 

The  church  was  organized  with  34  members,  and 
now,  1903,  numbers  115  members.  The  future  of  the 
church  seems  bright. 

Troy.  Ohion  Co.,  Tcun. — Is  located  in  the  town  of 
Troy,  until  recently  the  county  site,  and  about  three  and 
one-half  miles  northwest  of  Polk,  a  small  station  on  the 
I.  C.  railroad. 


598      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

The  membership  of  the  church  at  this  place  was 
formed  by  the  Harpers  and  Hutchinson's,  a  company  of 
about  50  persons,  white  and  black,  that  left  the  banks 
of  the  Catawba  River  in  York  county,  S.  C,  Dec.  24, 
1824,  and  arrived  in  this  locality,  Feb.,  1825.  This  set- 
tlement was  in  the  wild  woods,  the  county  having  been 
organized  in  1823. 

Rev.  Wm.  Blackstocks  visited  this  community  about 
1826,  and  again  in  1829,  and  preached  a  number  of  times 
and  baptized  some  children. 

Rev.  Robert  Galloway  visited  these  people  during  1831 
and  1832. 

Rev.  Eleazer  Harris  began  laboring  here  in  1832,  and 
organized  a  church  with  12  or  13  members.  James  Har- 
per and  Samuel  Hutchinson  were  made  Elders.  Rev. 
Robert  McCoy  visited  the  congregation  in  the  autumn  of 
1838.  His  services  as  stated  supply  were  secured,  and 
he  took  charge  January,  1839,  and  continued  until  Sep- 
tember, 1845. 

Rev.  James  Penny  Weed  came  in  1846,  and  was  in- 
-stalled  pastor,  April,  1847.  This  relation  continued  until 
Sept.,  1858.     He  also  had  charge  during  1870-75. 

Rev.  Robert  Leroy  Grier  was  pastor  from  Nov.  19th, 
i860,  to  1870. 

Rev.  Thomas  Peden  Pressly  was  sent  as  supply  in 
1875,  and  was  installed  pastor  Oct.  14th,  1876,  and  this 
pastorate  happily  continues  to  this  day.  In  Oct.  of  1901, 
the  cjuarter  centennial  was  observed  with  appropriate  ex- 
ercises. 

The  following  is  the  roll  of  Elders  who  have  served 
the  congregation  since  its  organization,  most  of  whom 
have  been  gathered  unto  their  fathers :  James  Harper, 
Samuel  Hutchinson,  Samuel  Baker,  Benjamin  Garrison, 
Wm.  McDaniel  Hood,  Augustus  Peden  Moffatt,  David 
W.  Stewart,  Robert  M.  Nisbet,  Walter  Brice,  M.  D., 
Samuel  Curry,  John  Erwin,  Adam  Dunbar,  J.  G.  Smith, 
Esq.,  L.  S.  Lancaster,  J.  C.  McCaw,  William  Joseph  Er- 
win. William  Currv,  S.  B.  Hall. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      599 

The  first  church  building;  was  erected  about  four  and 
one-half  (4>4)  miles  east  of  Troy.  The  second  was 
erected  in  Troy  about  1839,  on  the  lot  that  is  occupied  by 
the  present  church,  which  is  in  the  third  structure,  and 
which  was  dedicated  June  13th,  1874,  by  Rev.  Jas.  A. 
Lowry. 

Troy  is  the  mother  of  two  churches,  Rives  (orig-inally 
Pleasant  Hill ) .  and  Polk,  a  recent  organization,  on  the 
Illinois    Central    railroad. 

Tzcciify-si.r  Mile  Creek,  Pendleton  Co.,  S.  C— Was 
one  of  the  earliest  ori^anizations  of  the  Presbytery  of  the 
Carolinas  and  Georgia.  The  meagre  information  con- 
cerning it  is  found  in  the  Records  of  that  Presbytery 
and  of  the  Second  Presbytery.  From  1801  to  1829  a 
petition  went  up  to  nearly  every  meeting  of  Presbytery 
for  supplies.  At  different  times  the  following  supplies 
were  sent :  Revs.  M'Gill,  Porter,  Renwick,  Irwin  and 
Bryson.  In  1804,  a  call  was  made  for  a  part  of  Mr.  Ir- 
vin's  time,  but  Presbytery  granted  them  instead  only  a 
regular  supply. 

This  church  was  never  strong  numerically,  and  after 
the  year  1828  its  name  does  not  appear  in  the  Proceed- 
ings of  the  Presbytery. 

Union,  Chester  Co.,  S.  C— Union  church  is  situated 
very  near  Richburg,  in  Chester  Co.,  S.  C. 

It  was  originally  one  of  the  Societies  of  the  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  probably  organized  as  ar^ 
Associate  Reformed  Church  in  1795.  as  it  appears  on 
the  minutes  of  the  .\.  R.  Church  in  1796,  when  it  united 
with  Hopewell  and  Xew  I  lope  in  a  call  to  Rev.  John 
Hemphill. 

Rev.  John  Hemphill  was  installed  over  this  pastoral 
charge  on  Sept.  19th,  1796,  and  was,  therefore,  the  first 
pastor  of  Union.  This  pastorate  continued  until  the 
death  of  Dr.  Hemphill,  on  May  30th.  1832. 


6oo  SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 


UNIONj     S.    C. 


The  first  house  of  worship  was  a  log  building,  and 
stood  near  where  the  present  house  stands.  It  was 
erected  in  1794  or  1795,  and  was  afterwards  remodeled 
and  enlarged,  and  served  the  church  until  the  present 
building   was   erected   in    1848. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Hemphill,  Hopewell  and  Union 
united  in  a  call  to  Rev.  Warren  Flenniken,  who  was  or- 
dained and  installed  in  Nov.,  1832.  This  pastorate  con- 
tinued until  Mr.  Flenniken  demitted  Union  in  April, 
1839.  Until  this  time  Union  had  received  preaching  only 
once  a  month. 

In  April,  1839,  Rev.  L.  McDonald  was  called  to  Union 
for  one-half  time,  the  other  half  being  given  to  Tirzah, 
in  York  Co.,  S.  C. 

Mr.  McDonald  was  installed  over  the  united  charge,  at 
Tirzah,  on  Dec.  loth,  1839.  He  lived  in  the  bounds  of 
Union,  and  continued  pastor  of  Tirzah  until  Oct.  4th, 
185 1,  when  he  demitted  this  part  of  his  charge,  and  on 
Sept.  loth,  1853,  he  accepted  a  call  to  Neely's  Creek,  in 
York  Co.,  S.  C,  and  continued  pastor  of  Union  and 
Neely's  Creek,  until  Sept.  5th,  1870,  when  he  demitted 
both  congregations,  and  became  pastor  of  New  Hope,  in 
Fairfield  Co.     The  united  charge  of  Union  and  Neely's 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      6oi 

Creek  called  Rev.  C.  B.  Betts,  in  April,  1871,  and  he  was 
installed  in  May,  1871. 

In  1890,  Mr.  Betts  gave  up  the  Xeely's  Creek  branch 
of  this  charge,  because  it  had  grown  strong  enough  to 
take  a  pastor  all  the  time.  He  has  since  continued  pastor 
of  Union.  Union  has  been  one  of  the  strong  and  solid" 
churches  of  the  Synod,  and  has  done  a  noble  work  for 
the  ^Master. 

It  has  given  the  following  ministers  to  the  church : 
Revs.  S.  C.  iMillen,  J.  H.  Simpson,  Josiah  Moffatt,  J.  P. 
Marion,  \\'.  H.  Millen,  H.  C.  Fennell,  J.  H  Mofifatt,  and 
R.  C.  Betts. 

In  recent  years  the  congregation  has  made  extensive 
repairs  on  their  church,  and  it  is  now  one  of  the  most 
convenient  and  handsome  churches  in  the  country. 

Union,  Maury  Co.,  Tciin. — It  is  not  known  when  or 
by  whom  this  congregation  was  organized.  Presumably 
it  was  by  the  Tennessee  Presbytery.  Rev.  R.  M.  Gallo- 
way was  pastor  from  1824  to  1840,  giving  probably  one- 
half  time  to  it.  After  Mr.  Galloway's  death,  it  had  only 
occasional  supplies.  The  first  house  of  worship  was  de- 
stroyed by  a  storm  in  1835,  and  the  second  was  erected  in 
1836.  "At  one  time  Union  was  a  fairly  strong  and 
flourishing  congregation,  as  much  so  as  Hopewell,  but 
by  removals  and  deaths  became  broken  up.  The  storm 
that  destroyed  the  church  building  in  1835,  killed  three 
members  of  one  of  the  families,  by  the  name  of  Lusk." 
The  date  of  its  dissolution  is  not  given. 

Union,  Marion  Co.,  Ga. — Organized  by  Rev.  Thomas 
Turner,  Feb.  3,  1841,  Robt.  Bell  and  Thomas  Wigham 
ruling  elders  ordained  at  organization.  Rev.  James 
\\''alker  was  called  early  in  1841.  but  while  he  was  hold- 
ing the  call  a  Higher  Call  took  him  away,  Sept.  18.  1841. 
Owing  to  removals,  it  was,  June,  1843,  consolidated  with 
and  named  Smvrna,  with  four  elders  and  one  deacon. 


6o2      SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

Unity,  A'czvberry  Co.,  S.  C. — This  church  is  one  of 
the  youngest  organizations  in  the  Synod.  Its  ecclesiasti- 
cal life  dates  from  April  30th,  1902. 

At  this  time  a  commission  of  the  Second  Presbytery, 
consisting  of  Rev.  T.  W.  Sloan,  and  elders  R.  S.  Gal- 
*'loway  and  C.  F.  Boyd,  effected  the  formal  organization 
of  the  church. 

Rev.  J.  B.  Hood  deserves  the  credit  of  starting  the 
v^ork  at  Unity.  It  was  while  he  was  pastor  of  King's 
Creek  that  he  began  preaching  at  Garmany  school  house, 
a  small  building  situated  near  the  church.  It  was  found 
necessary  to  have  a  better  and  more  commodious  build- 
ing. This  was  erected  by  the  contributions  of  but  a 
handful  of  people,  Messrs.  A.  J.  Gibson  and  B.  F.  Can- 
non taking  the  lead  in  the  work.  The  church  was  first 
occupied  in  January,  1903.  The  elders  elected  were  B. 
F.  Cannon  and  J.  Y.  Thompson.  The  first  pastor  chosen 
was  Rev.  Chas  M.  Boyd.  His  installation  took  place 
May  30th,  1903.  The  church  has  now  40  members,  hav- 
ing grown  from  a  beginning  of  15.  It  has  a  promising 
future  before  it. 

Unify. — Unity  Church  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Lancaster  County,  S.  C,  and  its  origin  is  due  to  a  divis- 
ion in  Tirzah,  A.  R.  church,  in  Union  County,  N.  C. 
About  1875,  a  large  part  of  Tirzah  congregation  went 
into  the  Southern  Presbyterian  church,  and  those  who  re- 
mained in  the  A.  R.  church  were  organized  by  the  First 
Presbytery  into  a  congregation,  and  was  called  Unity. 
The  organization  was  effected  by  Rev.  A.  Ranson,  in  the 
yard  of  Mr.  John  W.  McCain,  in  1875.  Mr.  McCain 
gave  five  acres  of  land  for  a  church  lot,  and  the  first 
building  was  erected  in  1875.  and  was  dedicated  in  April, 
1876,  Rev.  R.  W.  Brice  preaching  the  dedicatory  ser- 
mon. The  church  was  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Mills  and 
others  for  some  time.  In  1876,  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly  com- 
menced to  supply  the  church  regularly,  and  in  1879  was 


SKETCHES  OF  COXGREGATTONS. 


603 


UNITY,     S.     C. 

called  as  pastor,  being  installed   May  23rd,   1879.     Mr. 

Presslv  demitted  this  charge,  Oct.  25th,  1885. 

Rev   W    A    M.  Plaxco  was  stated  supply  from  ^ov., 

1885,  until  the  spring  of   1890.     During  this  time   Mr. 

Plaxco  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  but  declmed. 

Rev    H    B    Blakelv  was  pastor  from  1890  until  1894, 

and  Rev  J.  L.  Gates  from  1897  ^"^til  the  spring  of  1900. 
Rev    J    Meek  White  was   stated   supply   from   May 
1000.  until  he  was  installed  April  9th,  KjOL  and  he  stdl 

continues  as  pastor.  At  its  organization.  John  ^e  son 
and  J.  Millen  Stewart  were  ordained  elders,  and  they 
both  continue  in  office  until  the  present  tune.  The  fol- 
lowino-  persons  have  since  been  added  as  elders,  Jas.  \\  . 
McCain  S.  P.  Walkup,  W.  G.  Sistare.  and  Elam  Boyce, 
and  perhaps  others.  In  1902.  a  beautiful  and  elegant 
church  was  erected,  which  is  a  credit  to  the  congregation 
and  an  ornament  to  the  community.  They  also  have  a 
nice  parsonage  for  the  pastor.  Unity  is  well  named  and 
is  one  of  the  most  live  and  prosperous  churches  of  the 
Presbytery. 

■        UnionUncn.  Bcbnont  Co.,  O/no.-Was  organized  as  an 
A.  R.  church.  1805;  became  U.  P.  in  1858:  formed  part 


6o4      SKETCHES  OE  CONGREGATIONS. 

of  the  Ohio  Presbytery  in  connection  with  A.  R.  Synod 
of  the  South.  Dr.  W.  M.  McElwee,  of  Rockbridge  Co., 
\'a.,  visited,  preached  to,  and  received  a  call  early  after 
Civil  War.  Having  joined  the  Southern  Synod,  Sept. 
ig,  1867,  Rev.  W.  S.  Moffatt  began  stated  labors  June, 
1868,  and  was  installed  pastor,  spring,  1869.  He  re- 
mained here  until  May  30,  1881,  when  both  pastor  and 
congregation  connected  with  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Sketch  of  the  JJ'ork  in  Valles,  State  of  S.  L.  P. — • 
Evangelical  work  was  begun  at  Valles  in  1899.  Valles 
is  a  part  of  the  mission  of  which  El  Maiz  is  the  center. 
The  town  has  a  population  of  some  2,000  souls ;  it  is, 
however,  the  center  of  a  large  and  populous  territory. 

Rev.  C.  Cruz  was  located  at  this  point,  and  has  gath- 
ered a  small  congregation.  One  of  the  most  serious  draw- 
backs to  the  work  at  this  point  is  the  lack  of  a  suitable 
house  of  worship,  centrally  located  and  respectably  fur- 
nished. 

The  congregation  is  composed  of  four  families,  nine 
communicants,  and  a  good  number  of  adherents.  No 
formal  church  organization  has  yet  been  effected  and 
no  ruling  elders  have  been  elected.  A  day  school,  which 
is  growing  in  favor  and  in  number  of  pupils,  is  taught 
by  Mr.  Cruz  and  his  wife. 

Valles  is  a  strategic  point,  and  is  growing  every  day  in 
importance.  It  is  located  on  the  Mexican  Central  Ry., 
and  is  the  gate  way  to  the  large,  fertile  and  populous  ter- 
ritory of  the  Tamasunchale  valley. 

Viro^in  Sf^riiiij;,  Alexander  Co.,  N.  C. — Organized 
1824;  land  donated  by  (Mason)  John  McLclland.  John 
Patterson,  a  Revolutionary  soldier  named  it  after  a  spring 
on  his  land.  "Tt  was  a  log  structure,  built  after  the  rules 
of  the  country  meeting  houses  of  that  day  ;  the  cracks  are 
all   open,  no  windows,  or  door  shutters;   rude   seats  of 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      605 

plank  slabs  or  split  logs,  as  were  most  convenient  to  ob- 
tain." Among  the  first  ruling  elders  were  Daniel  Mathe- 
son,  and  Robert  Carson,  Sr.  They  received  supplies 
from  Rev.  John  iNIushat  until  his  active  ministry  ceased, 
1827,  and  then  from  Associate  ministers. 

In  1840,  there  were  12  families  and  22  members. 
Rev.  John  Patrick  often  dispensed  the  means  of  grace 
here,  '4i-'44.  Jas.  McDonald,  Robt.  Carson,  Jr.,  Aryel 
Sharp,  David  Miller  and  Henry  McLain,  elders.  Rev. 
S.  C.  Millen,  D.  D.,  began  supply,  Nov.  i,  1846.  Salem 
Presbyterian  Church  was  organized,  1833.  When  both 
needed  repair,  the  property  of  Virgin  Spring  was  used 
to  better  furnish  Salem  and  a  joint  use  agreed.  It  con- 
tinued agreeably  as  long  as  needed,  under  the  administra- 
tion of  Dr.  Alillen,  Revs.  W.  B.  Pressly  and  W.  M.  Hun- 
ter. For  a  few  years  in  the  '70's,  she  declined  and  be- 
came disorganized.  The  faithful  remnant  were  recol- 
lected and  merged  into  Hiddenite. 

Warrior's  Creek. — The  earliest  mention  to  be  found 
of  Warrior's  Creek,  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C,  is  in  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia, 
in  the  year  1804,  when  it  is  recorded  that  Warrior's  Creek 
petitioned  Presbytery  for  a  sermon.  A  similar  request 
was  made  at  each  successive  meeting  of  Presbytery,  un- 
til 1807,  when  a  definite  call  was  made  out  for  one-fourth 
of  Mr.  Renwick's  time.  Presbytery  appointed  Mr.  Ren- 
wack  to  preach  at  Warrior's  Creek  on  the  fourth  Sabbath 
of  April,  also  on  the  first  and  second  Sabbath  of  May. 
At  the  next  spring  meeting  of  Presbytery  they  begged 
for  one-fourth  of  Mr.  Renwick's  time  to  be  continued 
among  them.  Mr.  Ren  wick  labored  there  as  stated  sup- 
ply from  1809  until  1816. 

On  March  the  tenth,  18 12,  Warrior's  Creek  vacancy 
was  united  with  Gilder's  Creek  as  a  part  of  Mr.  Ren- 
wick's charge,  but  on  IMarch  i,  1814,  his  connection  with 
Gilder's  Creek  was  dissolved. 


6o6  SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

In  1816,  these  vacancies  were  reported  to  Synod,  as  in 
a  languishing  condition,  there  being  much  lukewarmness 
on  account  of  different  views  on  Christian  communion. 

On  November  6,  1816,  Presbytery  held  a  meeting  at 
Warrior's  Creek. 

In  1 827- 1 828,  Rev.  S.  P.  Pressly  and  Rev.  H.  Bryson 
served  as  stated  supply  for  one-fourth  time. 


WHITE   OAK,   GA. 


White  Oak  Church,  Ga. — Was  organized  in  1848,  by 
Rev.  Thomas  Turner,  under  direction  of  the  Georgia 
Presbytery  (or  2nd).  They  were  supplied  until  1854, 
wdien  Rev.  James  McDaniel  was  installed  pastor.  He  de- 
mitted  the  charge  in  1857.  Rev.  Andrew  McElroy  was 
installed.  1859,  and  demitted  the  charge  in  1866.  From 
that  date  until  1879,  they  were  supplied  by  Rev.  S.  P. 
Davis  and  a  number  of  other  ministers.  In  that  year.  Rev. 
J.  L.  Hemphill  began  his  labors  among  them.  In  188 1, 
he  was  installed  pastor,  and  continued  to  be  until  his  death 
in  1899.  Rev.  J.  M.  Bigham  was  with  them  for  a  few 
months.  In  Dec,  1900.  Rev.  I.  S.  Caldwell  was  ordained 
and  installed  as  their  pastor,  and  is  still  with  them.  They 
have  had  two  church  buildings.  The  last  one  was  erected 
in  t8</).  (luring  tlic  ])aslorate  of  Rev.  J.  L.  Ileni])liill,  and 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      607 

is  a  handsome  and  commodious  structure.  The  member- 
ship of  the  church  is  among  the  most  hberal  and  progres- 
sive in  the  Synod. 

White  Oak,  S.  C. — White  Oak  Church  is  on  the  hne  of 
the  Southern  Railway,  eight  miles  north  of  Winnesboro, 
in  Fairfield  County,  S.  C. 

The  church  was  organized  by  the  First  Presbytery, 
March  i6th,  1877.  Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  was  the  first  pastor 
and  was  installed  in  May,  1878,  and  continued  for  about 
a  year,  when  he  was  called  to  Chester  for  all  his  time. 
Rev.  J.  A.  White  was  installed  pastor  June  loth,  1881, 
and  was  released  in  1893.  Rev.  J.  A.  Smith  was  installed 
Nov.  25th,  1893,  and  remained  until  Sept.,  1899.  For 
several  years  after  its  organization,  the  congregation 
worshipped  in  the  school  building,  but  in  1884,  the 
present  handsome  and  commodious  building  was  erected, 
and  was  dedicated  on  Dec.   13th,   1884. 

iriiinsboro,  S.  C. — When  the  church  at  Winnsboro 
was  organized,  we  are  not  able  to  say,  but  we  think  about 
1820.  It  was  originally  an  Associate  Church,  and  ap- 
pears on  the  roll  of  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  the 
Carolinas  for  the  first  time  in  May,  1823.  In  Dec.  of 
that  year,  Rev.  James  Lyle,  who  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  licensed  by  the  Ohio  Presbytery,  was  sent 
South,  and  it  is  ])rcsume(l  that  he  supplied  the  Winns- 
boro church  during  1824.  A  subscription  list  for  Mr. 
Lyle  as  "stated  pastor"  in  1824  is  in  existence,  and  he 
was  installed  as  pastor  of  Winnsboro  or  Bethel,  as  it 
was  then  called,  together  with  Smyrna,  in  Chester 
County,  and  Little  River,  or  Sterling's  Meeting  House, 
in  Fairfield,  on  May  4th.  1825.  Mr.  Lyle  continued  as 
pastor  until  1834.  The  church  seems  to  have  remained 
vacant  for  several  years.  About  1840,  Rev.  Thomas 
Ketchin  began  as  stated  supply  of  Winnsboro  and  Per- 
ry's Church,  in  Lancaster  Co..  and  on  March  8th,  1844, 


6o8 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


i 


\^^ 


.^  J»  ^A  V.'' 


WINNSBORO,    S.     C. 

he  was  installed  pastor  of  Winnsboro,  and  continued 
pastor  until  April  20th,  1852.  After  this  ensued  another 
vacancy  in  this  church,  until  Rev.  C.  B.  Betts  was  in- 
stalled May  nth,  1855,  ^"d  continuing  until  Nov.  i6th, 
1869. 

Rev.  J.  M.  Todd  was  pastor  from  May  24th,  1872  un- 
til April  7th,  1879.  Rev.  J.  T.  Chalmers  from  April 
28th,  1 88 1,  until  Oct.  3rd,  1 89 1.  Rev.  C.  E.  McDonald 
from  May  13th,  1892,  until  the  present  time.  This 
church  has  always  been  one  of  the  most  liberal  and  pros- 
perous congregations  of  the  Synod.  It  has  abounded 
in  Christian  giving,  and  every  cause  of  God  that  has 
been  presented  to  it,  has  met  a  liberal  response  from  this 
people.  Its  members  have  always  exhibited  a  high  type 
of  piety,  and  it  has  always  exerted  a  large  influence  for 
good  in  the  town  and  comnnmity.  In  common  with  all 
other   churches   in    small   towns,   it   has   had   a   constant 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.      609 

drain,  in  that  its  young  people  have  been  forced,  in  many 
instances  to  go  to  the  larger  towns  and  cities  for  employ- 
ment, vet  there  has  been  a  constant  gain  in  membership, 
and  it  has  more  members  to-day  than  at  any  time  in  its 
history. 

During  its  existence  the  congregation  has  had  three 
houses  of  worship.  The  first  stood  on  the  corner  of  Fair- 
field and  \'anderhorst  streets,  in  the  northwest  corner  of 
the  graveyard,  and  was  erected  soon  after  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  church.  In  1873,  the  congregation  bought  a 
lot  from  Mr.  George  :\IcMaster,  just  across  the  street 
north  of  where  the  old  church  was,  and  erected  thereon 
a  brick  building  which  has  served  the  congregation  until 
this  time,  1903.  In  the  year  1903,  the  congregation 
bought  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Zion 
street,  and  erected  a  large  and  handsoiue  building,  which 
is  an  ornament  to  the  town  and  a  credit  to  the  congre- 
gation. It  stands  near  the  centre  of  the  town,  just  one 
block  from  the  public  square. 

In  1894,  the  congregation  bought  a  house  and  lot  for  a 
parsonage.  It  is  on  Liberty  street,  and  consists  of  two 
acres,  and  a  large  eight  room  house,  which  furnishes  a 
comfortable  home  for  the  pastor. 

The  Women's  Societies  of  this  church  deserve  honor- 
able mention,  for  they  have  had  much  to  do  in  its  pros- 
perity and  success.  A  number  of  years  ago,  in  1883, 
they  put  an  iron  fence  around  the  graveyard ;  they  helped 
largelv  to  pay  for  the  parsonage  and  also  for  the  new 
church  erected  in  1903.  They  have,  all  along  the  years, 
contributed  liberally  to  the  missionary  funds  of  the  Sy- 
nod, and  have  ever  been  a  live  and  active  force  in  the 
church. 

The  church  here  has  had  many  quiet  revivals  and  gra- 
cious seasons  of  awakening.  The  most  noted  occasicn 
of  this  kind  occurred  in  Feb.,  1893,  at  a  ten  days'  meeting 
held  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr,  D.  D.,  the  Synodical  evangelist. 

Christians   were   awakened   and   the   whole   town   was 
39 


6io  SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

stirred.  Thirty  persons  connected  with  this  church  at 
that  time,  and  many  others  connected  with  the  various 
churches  of  the  town.  The  past  of  this  church  is  safe 
and  the  future  seems  bright. 

Woodruff  Associate  Reformed  Church. — Was  organ- 
ized at  Woodruff,  S.  C,  June  14,  1879,  with  twelve  (12) 
charter  members,  nine  from  Bethel,  now  Ora,  and  three 
from  Providence,  now  Clinton. 

The  organization  was  effected  under  discouraging  cir- 
cumstances, and  had  a  hard  struggle  for  existence. 

The  first  supplies  were  individual  and  scattering.  Rev. 
Calvin  Pressly  was  stated  supply  for  one-fourth  time  for 
the  year  1880  and  1881.  Rev.  R.  H.  McAuley  was  stated 
supply  for  one-half  time  from  the  fall  of  1881  to  the  fall 
of  1882.  He  then  served  as  pastor  elect  until  May  29, 
1884,  when  he  was  installed  pastor  for  one-half  his  time, 
in  the  fall  of  1888  he  resigned  the  pastorate.  Rev.  J.  B. 
Muse  and  others  supplied  until  1891,  when  Rev.  J.  R. 
Edwards  came  from  the  Seminary  and  supplied  the 
church  statedly  for  a  few  months.  Rev.  J.  H.  Pressly 
of  the  Seminary  also  supplied  the  church  from  the  fall  of 
1891  to  June,  1892.  After  several  months  of  scattering 
supplies.  Rev.  S.  W.  Reid  of  the  Seminary  was  called, 
ordained,  and  installed  pastor  over  the  congregations  of 
Wellford  and  Woodruff,  July  15,  1893.  His  labors  were 
blessed  and  he  was  beloved  by  all.  He  resigned  April 
6,  1897,  to  accept  the  work  at  Ebenezer  and  Wrens,  Ga. 
A  few  months  of  scattering  supplies  succeeded  Mr. 
Reid's  departure.  Rev.  W.  B.  Lindsay  of  the  Seminary 
was  then  called,  and  on  Nov.  6,  1897,  was  ordained  and 
installed  over  Wellford  and  Woodruff.  After  a  success- 
ful pastorate  of  five  years  he  went  by  appointment  of 
Synod  to  take  charge  of  the  work  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Two  church  buildings  have  been  erected  since  the  or- 
ganization, the  first  in  1879  and  1880,  though  the  building 
was  not  completed  for  two  or  three  years.    In  July,  1900, 


SKETCHES  OF   CONGREGATIONS.      6ll 

the  second  building  was  completed  and  dedicated.  The 
cost  was  about  $3,000. 

In  1890  a  revival  in  the  church  started,  which  was  far 
reaching,  though  there  were  but  few  accessions  at  the 
time.     Rev.  W.  W.  Orr  conducted  the  meeting. 

Revs.  E.  B.  Anderson  and  W.  E.  Anderson  were  mem- 
bers of  this  congregation  until  they  entered  the  ministry. 

The  growth  of  this  church  has  been  slow  but  steady, 
and  numbers  now  about  fifty-nine  names  on  the  mem- 
bership roll.    It  has  been  self-sustaining  for  several  years. 

Wrens  Church  was  organized  October  9th,  1899  by  the 
Second  Presbytery.  The  first  sermon  preached  at 
Wrens  was  by  Rev.  D.  G.  Phillips,  D.  D.,  August  30th, 
1 89 1.  Dr.  Phillips  continued  to  preach  there  once  a 
month  until  Jan.  1st,  1893,  when  he  gave  up  active  work. 
For  six  months  they  were  supplied  by  the  Board  of 
Home  ]\Iissions.  On  July  6th,  1893,  a  call  was  made 
out  for  Rev.  J.  S.  Grier,  and  he  was  installed  at  Ebenezer 
July  23rd,  1893.  Rev.  Grier  resigned  April  i6th,  1896. 
For  six  months  they  were  again  supplied  by  the  Home 
Board.  They  then  called  Rev.  S.  W.  Reid.  He  was  in- 
stalled ^lay  8th,  1897,  and  demitted  the  charge  Sept. 
1 2th,  1898.  About  this  time  the  Wrens  branch  became 
a  separate  organization.  Rev.  J.  A.  Smith  was  the 
first  pastor  of  the  independent  organization,  and  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Wrens  December  6th,  1899.  He  re- 
signed in  December,  1901.  Rev.  R.  E.  Hough  was  in- 
stalled October  ist,  1902,  and  is  now  pastor.  They  have 
had  preaching  two  Sabbaths  per  month  since  they  were 
organized.  They  have  had  only  one  building,  erected  in 
1895.  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr.  D.  D.,  preached  the  first  sermon 
August  8th,  1895. 

YovkviUc,  S.  C. — The  church  at  Yorkville,  S.  C,  was 
organized  by  the  First  Presbytery  in  the  fall  of  1853. 
Soon  after  its  organization  Rev.  S.  C.  ]\Iillen,  D.  D.,  was 


6i2       SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 

installed  pastor,  and  continued  his  ministry  until  1857, 
when  he  resigned.  For  two  years  the  congregation  re- 
mained vacant.  In  the  spring  of  1859  Rev.  Robert 
Lathan  assumed  the  pastoral  charge,  and  continued  until 
the  fall  of  1884,  when  he  was  called  to  a  chair  in  Ers- 
kine  Theological  Seminary.  Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway,  D.  D., 
was  called  in  Sept.,  1885,  and  remained  until  Dec.  31st, 
1893,  when  he  resigned  to  take  charge  of  Gastonia  and 
Pisgah  in  North  Carolina.  The  church  was  vacant  until 
August  17th,  1894,  when  Rev.  B.  H.  Grier  was  in- 
stalled, and  he  remained  until  July  3rd,  1901,  when  he 
removed  to  Ora,  in  Laurens  Co.,  S.  C. 

Since  that  time  the  church  has  been  vacant  for  two 
years,  but  Rev.  W.  C.  Ewart  has  recently  accepted  a  call 
there  and  will  soon  be  installed. 

Zalmonah,  Autauga  Co.,  Ala. — Rev.  Thomas  Turner 
preached  to  some  12  members  near  Kingston,  the  county 
seat,  Dec.  14,  1835.  He  received  as  compensation  $5.00, 
also  $14.00  for  Erskine  College.  At  their  request  they 
were  supplied  also  the  first  and  second  Sabbaths  of  Feb., 
1836.     Rev.  Jno.  Miller  preached  one  Sabbath  in   1846. 

Zioii,  Ark. — Rev.  M.  C)ates  preached  his  first  sermon 
in  Yell  Co.,  Ark.,  July  2,  1871.  Three  A.  R.  P.  members 
were  there  then — J.  H.  Walkup  and  his  wife  and  sister. 
Mr.  Oates  continued  to  visit  them  occasionally,  and  by 
order  of  Presbytery  organized  Zion  church  August  2, 
1879,  with  14  members.  J.  H.  Walkup  and  Thomas 
Oates  being  chosen  elders.  Mr.  Oates  preached  for  them 
four  or  five  Sabbaths  a  year  for  about  seventeen  years. 
Besides  this.  Revs.  W.  L.  Patterson,  J.  P.  Erwin  and  J. 
C.  McDonald  each  spent  a  few  months  with  them  dur- 
ing this  time.  They  always  paid  Synod's  per  diem.  In 
1893  they  completed  a  neat  frame  church  at  a  cost  of 
$600.  Rev.  J.  C.  Douglass  began  work  here  once  a 
month  in  the  summer  of  1896.  and  was  installed  pastor 


SKETCHES   OF  CONGREGATIONS.  613 


4  . 


»      g     S     I 


CHLKCH    ANb    MAX.SE,    11A\AXA,    AUK. 

in  November  of  that  year.  This  happy  relation  was  ter- 
minated by  his  death  in  June.  1900.  They  had  41  mem- 
bers when  he  came,  and  54  when  he  ched.  In  1899  a 
railroad  was  built  through  the  neighborhood.  Mr.  Doug- 
lass was  much  interested  in  moving  the  church  building 
to  the  nearest  station,  then  called  Greenville,  but  later 
Havana.  This  work  was  completed  in  Jan.,  1900.  That 
year  Synod  appointed  Rev.  L.  Hickman  to  that  field  for 
all  his  time.  He  was  installed  their  pastor  in  'Slay,  1902. 
His  ministry  has  been  signally  blessed  in  the  growth  of 
the  congregation,  its  membership  having  been  nearly 
doubled.  The  congregation  built  a  parsonage  in  1901. 
They  maintain  a  flourishing  S.  S.,  a  Ladies'  Soc,  and 
a  Y.  P.  C.  U. 

Zion,  Tciui.,  was  located  in  bounds  of  Tennessee  Pres- 
bytery and  was  ministered  to  by  Rev.  S.  L.  Ralston.  He 
"was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  over  Head  Spring, 
Zion  and  Connersville  on  June  7,  1839."  The  record 
further  shows  that  he  demitted  Zion  ^^lay  i,  1S41.  Of 
its  subsequent  history  we  know  nothing  and  it  is  now 
defunct. 


PART  IV. 

CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


THE  ORGANIZATION. 

ADDRESS    BY  J.  C.  GALLOWAY,  D.  D. 

Birthdays  are  interesting  and  important  days  in  the 
history  of  men  and  affairs.  May  9th,  1803,  is  such  a  day 
in  our  history— a  "red  letter  day"  in  the  history  of  As- 
sociate Reformed  Presbyterianism. 

To  understand  clearly  the  causes  leading  up  to  the  or- 
ganization which  we  to-day  celebrate  we  must  for  a  mo- 
ment go  back  up  the  course  of  our  history.  To  know  a 
man,  or  a  body  of  men  properly,  we  must  know  some- 
thing of  their  antecedents.  Of  no  men  is  this  more  true 
than  of  A.  R.  Presbyterians.  So  we  must  go  back  to  the 
Moss-hags  o£  Scotland,  her  moors  and  mountains,  to 
bloody  Claverhouse  and  his  dragoons,  and  to  the  "killing 
time"  in  Scotland  and  the  birth  of  Ireland  under  popish 
rulers.  It  is  therefore  not  surprising  that  Associate 
Reformed  people  have  no  love  for  the  Romish  church 
and  as  little  patience  with  recent  fulsome  eulogies  of  dead 
Popes,  when  it  is  the  proud  boast  of  that  church  that  it 
has  never  changed  and  cannot  change. 

In  a  sense  the  A.  R.  church  may  be  said  to  have  had 
her  origin  in  Scotland  in  1733,  at  Gairney  Bridge,  when 
Ebenezer  Erskine.  Wni.  Wilson,  Alex.  jNIoncrieft"  and 
las.  Fisher  left  the  established  church  of  Scotland  and 


6i6  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

formed  the  Associate  Presbytery.  And  here  let  me 
make  it  plain  that  they  did  not  secede  because  of  the 
question  of  close  communion,  for  all  held  to  that,  or  be- 
cause of  the  introduction  of  Watt's  hymns — not  at  all. 

True,  the  A.  R.  church  did  cling  to  close  communion 
until  27  years  ago  and  still  clings  to  our  inspired  Psalms 
of  to-day,  (and  may  she  never  forsake  it)  but  neither  of 
these  questions  were  an  issue  in  her  formation. 

Erskine  and  his  noble  associates  in  withdrawing  from 
the  established  church  of  Scotland  were  prompted  by  the 
same  motives  that  actuated  Luther  in  withdrawing  from 
Rome,  gross  errors  in  the  doctrine  and  practices  of  that 
church.  They  were  unable  to  make  any  headway  in  pro- 
test against  these  errors,  and  when  they  did  solemnly 
protest  they  were  tyranically  silenced.  To  withdraw 
therefore  was  the  only  course  left. 

The  more  immediate  ancestors  of  the  A.  R.  church 
came  from  Scotland  and  the  north  of  Ireland  and  settled 
principally  in  New  York  State  and  Pennsylvania  and 
the  Carolinas.  Their  first  organization  in  the  United 
States  was  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania, 
in  1753.  Then  in  1774  near  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  the  Re- 
formed Presbyterians  organized  a  Reformed  Presbytery. 

After  the  Revolutionary  War  these  two  Presbyteries, 
the  Associate  and  the  Reformed,  formed  a  union  Nov. 
1st,  1782.  This  took  place  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  re- 
sult of  this  union  was  a  body  known  as  the  Associate 
Reformed  Synod,  combining  the  two  names — Associate 
and  Reformed. 

At  the  time  of  this  imion  there  were  more  than  59  so- 
cieties (as  they  were  then  called)  of  Associates  and  Cove- 
nanters south  of  the  James  River,  and  scattered  over  a 
wide  territory.  Both  Associate  and  Covenanter  minis- 
ters visited  and  preached  to  those  scattered  societies. 

P>y  order  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  (the  body  of  which  we 
have  just  spoken  as  having  been  organized  in  Philadel- 
phia in  1782)  the  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia 


CENTEXXIAL  ADDRESSES.  617 

was  organized  at  Long  Cane,  S.  C,  Feb.  24th,  1790.     It 
was  composed  of  four  ministers  and  44  congregations. 

In  twenty  years  from  its  organization  the  A.  R.  Synod 
(organized  as  we  have  just  said  in  Philadelphia  and 
representing  all  the  Associate  Reformed  people  in  the 
United  States)  had  grown  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was 
deemed  wise  to  divide  the  Synod  into  four  co-ordinate 
Synods,  and  organize  a  general  Synod  having  the  powers 
of  a  general  Assembly.  This  was  done  and  the  result 
was  four  Synods — the  Synod  of  Xew  York,  the  Synod  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  Synod  of  Scioto,  and  the  Synod  of  the 
Carolinas.  It  is  with  respect  to  the  organization  of  this 
last  body  that  we  are  especially  concerned  today. 

It  is  true  this  is  not  the  name  which  the  A.  R.  Synod 
of  the  South  bears  to-da}-.  but  it  is  the  same  body.  This 
Synod  took  its  present  name,  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the 
South.  19  years  after  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  was  or- 
ganized at  the  Brick  Church.  The  members  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Carolinas  were  so  dissatisfied  with  the  tyrannical 
and  over-bearing  conduct  of  some  of  the  members  of  the 
General  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  their  centralization  of 
power,  as  the  Synod  never  met  except  in  Philadelphia 
and  the  growing  corruption  of  doctrine  and  practice, 
that  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  withdrew  and  became 
independent  in  1822,  and  assumed  its  present  name. 

By  order  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  the  Synod 
of  the  Carolinas  was  to  have  been  organized  at  Ebenezer 
or  P)rick  Church.  Fairfield  county.  S.  C.  the  fourth 
Wednesday  of  April,  1803.  But  for  some  reason  which 
is  not  revealed  in  the  minutes,  the  meeting  was  not  held 
at  that  date.  But  a  few  weeks  later  the  ministers  and 
elders  of  the  First  and  Second  Presbyteries  of  thfe 
Carolinas  and  Georgia  did  meet  at  the  Brick  Church  and 
the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  was  organized. 

The  territory  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Synod  thus 
organized  was  Xorth  and  South  Carolina  and  Georgia. 
Bv  order  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Svnod  of  Pennsvl- 


6i8  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

vania,  the  Presbytery  of  the  CaroHnas  and  Georgia  was 
organized  at  Long  Cane,  S.  C,  Feb.  24th,  1790,  with  four 
ministers  and  forty-four  congregations.  Ten  years  later, 
in  Oct.,  1800,  this  Presbytery  was  by  order  of  the  same 
Synod,  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  divided  into  the  First 
and  Second  Presbyteries  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia, 
the  line  of  separation  being  Broad  River,  all  the  territory 
lying  west  of  this  river  being  assigned  to  the  Second 
Presbytery,  and  all  east  to  the  First  Presbytery.  Tlfe 
Synod  of  the  Carolinas  as  organized  at  the  Brick  Church 
was  therefore  composed  of  delegates  from  the  First  and 
Second  Presbyteries  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia. ' 

As  to  the  causes  and  motives  which  led  to  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Synod  the  records  have  little  to  say.  Some 
causes  are  briefly  stated,  others  are  matters  of  inference. 
One  reason  was  the  great  distance  between  the  A.  R. 
churches  in  the  Carolinas  and  those  in  Pennsylvania  and 
New  York.  To  attend  a  meeting  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of 
Pennsylvania  required  a  long,  fatiguing  and  expensive 
trip  on  horseback  through  a  wild  and  mountainous  coun- 
try in  A'irginia  and  West  Virginia.  The  churches  in  the 
Sf^nth  were  therefore  nearly  always  without  representa- 
tion in  the  Synod  which  always  met  in  the  North. 

To  illustrate  this  difficulty.  A  few  years  ago  when  I  re- 
turned from  the  meeting  of  Synod  at  Chicota,  Dr.  E.  E. 
Boyce  said  to  me,  "When  did  you  leave  Memphis?"  I 
said,  "Yesterday  morning."  "You  made  the  trip  in 
twenty-four  hours,  then?"  "Yes,"  I  answered.  "Well," 
he  said,  "that  reminds  me.  When  I  was  a  missionary  in 
the  West  in  my  early  ministry  in  1840,  I  left  Memphis 
on  horseback  with  my  saddle  bags  and  it  took  me  31 
days  and  you  have  come  in  twenty-four  hours." 

Dr.  D.  G.  Phillips  used  to  tell  it  on  my  father,  that 
once  on  a  long  trip  on  horseback  to  a  Synod  in  the  far 
West,  when  they  had  been  absent  from  home  a  month,  as 
they  were  riding  along  in  the  mountains  of  Tennessee, 
father  drew  a  long  breath  and  said,  "Well,  I  would  like 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  619 

to  know  how  Martha  and  the  children  are  getting  along." 
These  long  wilderness  journeys,  the  absence  of  all 
postal  facilities,  for  all  letters  went  by  hand  in  those  days, 
and  the  consequent  isolation  of  the  A.  R.  churches  in  the 
South  was  one  reason  for  the  organization  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Carolinas. 

Another  reason  was  the  rapid  growth  of  the  A.  R. 
churches,  both  at  the  North  and  the  South  just  at  this 
time.  Dr.  Lathan  in  his  history  of  the  A.  R.  church 
says  of  this  period,  "The  number  of  congregations 
rapidly  increased,  new  Presbyteries  were  organized,  and 
the  field  occu]Med  by  the  A.  R.  church  became  very  ex- 
tensive, embracing  the  territory  included  by  nearly  all 
the  original  thirteen  States,  forming  the  American  gov- 
ernment." Our  fathers,  therefore,  felt  that  this  organi- 
zation in  the  South  would  be  an  additional  stake  of 
strength  to  the  entire  A.  R.  church  and  cause  in  the 
United  States.  Especially  was  this  felt  to  be  true  so  far 
as  the  South  was  concerned.  It  would  stimulate  the 
faith  and  enterprise  of  the  churches  in  the  Carolinas  and 
Georgia,  and  open  the  way  for  larger  and  better  things 
in  the  future.  It  would  throw  the  churches  in  the  South 
on  their  own  resources,  and  develop  a  spirit  of  self-help, 
])oth  as  to  money  and  a  supply  of  ministers — which  was 
the  great  burning  question  in  the  churches  at  the  South 
at  the  time.  , 

Ry  way  of  correcting  what  I  think  is  a  very  common 
misapprehension,  I  will  say,  that  the  question  of  slavery 
and  the  estrangements  which  grew  out  of  it  between  the 
North  and  South  had  nothing  at  all  to  do  with  the 
organization  of  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  at  the  Brick 
Church  in  1803,  or  the  movement  which  led  to  the  pres- 
ent independent  A.  R.  Synod  of  the  South  19  years  later. 
The  popular  idea  is  that  it  grew  out  of  our  differences 
in  regard  to  slavery.  This  is  entirely  incorrect.  True  in 
the  early  history  of  the  church  the  A.  R.  people  were 
largely  and  strongly  opposed  to  slavery,  and  the  wing  of 


520  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

the  church  in  the  North  took  strong  ground  against  it. 
And  first  and  last,  perhaps,  the  larger  part  of  our  church 
left  the  South  and  emigrated  to  the  Northwest  on  ac- 
count of  their  opposition  to  slaverv.  Many  of  the  congre- 
gations of  the  U.  P.  church  in  Illinois,  Ohio  and  Indiana 
were  built  up  by  these  Southern  emigrants.  Nearly  the 
entire  body  of  Covenanters  in  the  South  removed  to  the 
free  States  of  the  West  for  this  reason.  This  was  one 
of  the  chief  reasons  for  the  slow  growth  of  the  A.  R. 
church  in  the  beginning  of  the  past  centur}-. 

I  have  tried  to  sketch  the  causes  which  led  to  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas. 

Let  us  for  a  moment  imagine  it  is  the  9th  of  May, 
1803.  and  let  us  imagine  we  are  on  the  ground  at  the 
Brick  Church  the  morning  the  Synod  is  to  be  organized. 
First  of  all  we  see  a  neat  brick  building  standing  in  the 
midst  of  a  beautiful  oak  grove  on  the  banks  of  Little 
River.  That  house  has  a  history.  It  was  built  in  1788 
and  still  stands.  Rev.  C.  E.  McDonald,  in  his  sketch  of 
the  Brick  Church,  says  that  Mrs.  Hutchinson,  a  member 
of  the  church  who  died  a  few  years  ago,  remembers  hear- 
ing her  mother  and  others  tell  that  after  the  crops  were 
laid  by  their  fathers  and  grandfathers  would  go  to  the 
brickyard  and  tramp  the  mud  into  mortar  with  their  bare 
feet,  put  it  into  mould  with  their  hands,  carry  it  out  into 
the  sun  to  dry  and  then  burn  the  kilns  by  night  and 
day.  It  took  them  a  long  time  to  get  ready  to  build 
but  the  building  was  completed  in  1788.  And  it  stands 
to-day  as  strong  and  solid  as  at  the  first,  showing  that 
these  old  men  did  their  work  well."  This  is  the  house 
where  Synod  has  come  to  meet  presently.  And  now  the 
congregation  begins  to  gather  from  all  quarters.  They 
are  either  all  on  horseback  or  on  foot,  and  are  all  dressed 
either  in  homespun  or  buckskin.  It  is  a  large  congre- 
gation that  assembles,  for  the  Brick  church  is  prosperous 
and  has  many  members.  The  ministers  and  elders  have 
all  come  on  horseback,  are  dustv  and  travel  worn  from 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  62 1 

their  long  journey.  After  cordial  greetings  (for  these 
men  are  as  David  and  Jonathan)  with  their  saddle  bags 
over  their  arms  they  enter  the  church.  The  Rev.  Jas. 
Rogers,  pastor  of  the  Brick  church,  ascends  the  pulpit 
ladder,  for  by  order  of  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  Pennsylvania, 
he  has  been  appointed  Moderator.  He  gives  out  the 
opening  Psalms,  reads  the  Scripture  and  announces  the 
text.  It  is  this.  Jer.  3:15,  'T  will  give  you  pastors  ac- 
cording to  mine  heart  which  shall  feed  you  with  knowl- 
edge and  understanding."  After  sermon  the  Synod  of 
the  Carolinas  was  by  him  constituted  by  prayer,  and 
entered  on  a  century  of  labor  for  the  Master  and  His 
cause. 

Is  it  too  much  to  hope  that  when  the  great  angel  shall 
stand  on  sea  and  land  and  declare  "time  shall  be  no 
more"  that  there  shall  be  a  General  Assembly  of  the  A. 
R.  church  in  session  and  doing  business  for  the  ^Master? 

"^A'hen  the  roll  of  this  first  Synod  was  called  seven  min- 
istf^rs.  two  probationers  and  six  elders  answered  to  their 
names.  After  a  century  I  will  call  this  roll  once  again. 
Jas.  Rogers,  William  Blackstock,  John  Plemphill,  Jas. 
AIcKnight,  Alexander  Porter,  Jas.  ]\IcGill,  and  Robt. 
Erwin,  ministers.  Isaac  Grier,  Jas.  McAuley, 
probationers. 

Elders,  Chas.  ^Montgomery,  Alexander  Stewart,  An- 
drew ^IcOuiston,  Henry  Hunter,  Arthur  ^Morrow,  Duke 
Bell.  All  absent  to-day.  Gone  to  join  the  "General  As- 
sembly and  church  of  the  first  born  whose  names  are 
written  in  heaven." 

I  am  sure  you  would  like  to  know  something  of  what 
was  done  on  that  day.  I  have  the  minute.  I  will  read  it. 
But  don't  be  alarmed  brethren,  this  minute  is  not  as  long 
as  the  minute  of  the  present  Synod. 

"Whereas,  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  at  their 
meeting  held  in  Xew  York  City,  Oct.  21st,  i<So2,  did  by 
the  fourth  resolve  of  said  meeting  authorize  the  First 
and  Second  Presbvterv  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  to 


622  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

constitute  one  Synod  to  be  called  the  Synod  of  the  Caro- 
linas.  Reference  had  to  the  printed  minutes  of  said 
meeting  will  more  fully  appear. 

And,  whereas,  the  Synod  appointed  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Synod  of  the  Carolinas  to  meet  at  Mr.  Rogers' 
church  the  fourth  Wednesday  of  April,  1803,  to  be 
opened  with  a  sermon  by  the  Rev.  Jas.  Rogers. 

Some  circumstances  prevented  the  Synod's  meeting  at 
the  time  appointed,  but  through  the  good  hand  of  our 
God  have  we  convened  at  the  place  mentioned,  this  9th 
da}-  of  May,  1803.  After  sermon  by  the  Moderator,  the 
Rev.  Jas.  Rogers,  from  Jer.  3:15,  the  Synod  was  con- 
stituted with  prayer."  Then  follows  the  roll  of  the 
Synod  which  I  have  already  called.  "The  Synod  unani- 
mously agreed  that  the  names  of  members  are,  as  re- 
stricted to  ministers,  to  stand  on  the  test  according  to 
seniority.  It  was  then  inquired  whether  vacant  congre- 
gations should  have  the  privilege  of  representing  them- 
selves by  an  elder  in  Synod,  and  was  determined  in  the 
negative."  , 

The  reason  for  this  action  is  evident  when  we  recall 
that  there  are  50  or  more  vacant  congregations  and  only 
nine  ministers  and  probationers,  and  if  these  vacant  con- 
gregations were  represented  by  elders  the  ministry  would 
be  hopelessly  outnumbered  on  the  floor  of  Synod. 

"The  letter  from  the  General  Assembly,  (this  letter 
was  in  the  nature  of  a  pastoral  letter  from  the  General 
Synod  of  Pa.,)  was  then  read,  and  inquiry  was  made  as 
to  how  the  members  were  pleased  with  the  same. 
Whereupon  it  was  unanimously  resolved  they  were  highly 
satisfied  and  thankful  for  said  letter.  But  with  respect 
to  covenanting  (and  the  letter  had  been  strong  on  this 
point,)  they  wish  to  make  further  application  to  the  Gen- 
eral Synod.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Monticello  Academy 
tomorrow  at  9  o'clock.  Monticello  Academy  was  only 
a  few  miles  from  the  church,  was  at  that  time  a  famous 
seat  of  learning,   was  under  the  direction   of  Rev.    ]rs. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  623 

Rogers,  the  pastor,  and  was  patronized  by  young  men 
all  over  the  State.  It  has  always  been  the  policy  of  the 
A.  R.  church  to  put  the  school  house  beside  the  church. 

"Thursday,  p  o'clock,  met  according  to  adjournment 
as  above  and  opened  with  prayer.  A  motion  was  made 
and  concurred  in  by  the  members,  namely,  the  Presbyte- 
ries supply  in  the  bounds  of  each  other  for  a  time ;  and 
that  the  persons  sent  endeavor  to  conciliate  the  minds  of 
the  people  to  the  Presbytery  in  whose  bounds  they  live." 
The  explanation  of  this  minute  is  that  when  three  years 
prior  to  this  the  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia 
was  divided  into  the  First  and  Second  Presbyteries  there 
were  three  or  four  congregations  in  each  Presbytery 
which  were  dissatisfied  with  the  division.  Some  in  the 
territory  of  the  First  refused  to  be  separated  from  the 
Second  and  some  in  the  Second  refused  to  be  separated 
from  the  First.  And  some  of  them  persisted  in  this  for 
twenty  years :  You  know  that  when  Scotch-Irish  people 
are  once  set  in  their  ways  they  are  apt  to  remain  so.  It 
was  to  conciliate  these  congregations  that  this  action 
was  taken. 

"The  following  resolution  was  brought  before  the 
Synod  and  unanimously  adopted : 

Whereas,  as  the  Rev.  Peter  iNIciMullen  and  the  Rev. 
\\m.  Dickson  have  declined  the  communion  of  the  A.  R. 
church  in  a  disorderly,  schismatical  and  scandalous  luan- 
ncr  ;  and  the  reasons  accompanying  their  declinature  are 
some  of  them  false  and  others  frivolous,  therefore. 

Resolved,  that  they  be  suspended  from  the  ofifice  of  the 
holy  ministry  and  cited  to  appear  before  the  bar  of  the 
Synod  at  their  next  meeting.  They  were  accordingly 
suspended  by  the  Moderator."  A  sorrowful  story  lies 
behind  this  minute,  a  storv  of  intemperance  and  final 
wreck  and  ruin  for  at  least  one  of  these  suspended  min- 
isters, the  Rev.  Peter  iMciMullen.  And  it  eventually 
entailed  the  gravest  consefiucnces  on  the  A.  R.  church. 
These  two  sus])ended  ministers  organized  another  Pres- 


624  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

byten-,  the  Associate  Presbytery,  an  opposition  Presby- 
tery wliich  divided  the  A.  R.  church.  A  religious  civil 
war  ensued,  and  for  a  c[uarter  of  a  century  these  two 
bodies,  Associates  and  A.  R."s,  who  ought  to  have  been 
brothers  and  one,  spent  their  time  and  energies  largely 
in  fighting  one  another,  and  so  made  no  progress  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  but  lost  ground  which  could  never 
be  regained.  How  A.  R.  people  ought  to  hate  strong 
drink !  It  robbed  the  church  of  a  quarter  of  a  century  of 
progress. 

To  resume  the  minute.  "A  day  of  thanksgiving-  was 
appointed  to  be  held  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  July  by 
all  the  congregations  and  vacancies.     The  causes  were : 

1.  The  harmony  of  the  two  Presbyteries  in  the  Synod 
into  which  they  have  been  formed.  , 

2.  The  smiles  of  Providence  on  the  Missions  of  the 
General  Synod  deputed  to  Europe.  (This  was  to  raise 
money  to  build  and  equip  a  Theological  Seminary.  J. 
C.  G.^) 

3.  That  we  have  a  Synod  formed  in  the  Southern 
States. 

Adjourned  to  meet  at  Hopewell  the  second  Wednesday 
of  April,  1804.  Concluded  with  singing  the  133  Psalm 
and    pronoimcing   the   Apostolical    benediction." 

And  so  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  passed  into  history. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  625 


THE   MEN    WHO   ORGANIZED    THE   SYNOD 
AND  THE  CHURCHES  WHICH  COM- 
POSED IT. 

ADDRESS  EV  REV.  T.  G.   ISOVCE,  D.  D. 

It  would  not  be  strange  if  we,  even  we,  the  heirs  of  all 
the  ages,  should  on  an  occasion  like  this  feel  the  vain 
wish  that  Time  might  turn  backward  in  his  flight  and 
place  us  for  a  little  while  among  the  scenes  of  the  past. 
Not  that  we  wish  at  all  to  exchange  the  comforts  of  to- 
day for  the  privations  and  hardships  of  a  century  ago. 
Fresh  from  a  ride  of  some  eight  hundred  miles  by  rail- 
road to  attend  this  meeting  we  have  no  wish  to  exchange 
that  mode  of  travel,  except  in  very  limited  doses  for  the 
good  old  health  giving  exercise  on  horseback.  Nor  are 
we  anxious  for  the  days,  or  nights  rather,  when  darkness 
was  dispelled  by  tallow  candles  and  pine  knots.  We  are 
not  longing  to  live  in  the  past.  We  prefer  to  live  in  the 
present — and  as  far  into  the  futvire  as  we  can. 

But  yet  we  would,  if  "\ve  could,  step  back  for  a  little 
while  into  the  past  and  know  the  men  of  whom  but  little 
more  than  the  names — and  of  some  not  even  that — have 
come  down  to  us.  We  should  like  to  know  if  there  were 
giants  in  the  earth  in  those  days,  or  if  they  were  men  of 
like  passions  as  we  are.  We  should  like  to  talk  with 
them  of  their  work,  and  worship  with  them  in  their  un- 
w'armed  churches  of  hewn  logs.  In  this  way  we  might 
catch  something  of  the  spirit  of  their  rugged  force  and 
iron  nerve,  and  learn  to  place  a  true  value  on  the  heritage 
of  our  fathers. 

But  instead  of  going  back,  we  can  only  look  back 
over  the  space  of  a  hundred  years.  And  we  can  furnish 
you  with  no  telescope  to  enable  you  to  see  the  men  of 
that  time  at  closer  range. 

Just  what  was  expected  or  desired  in  this  short  ad- 
40 


626  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

dress  we  are  not  sure — but  of  one  thing  we  are  sure — 
the  committee  who  arranged  this  program  did  not  ex- 
pect any  full  account  of  those  men  and  churches  or  they 
would  have  given  more  time  for  this  subject  and  would 
have  assigned  it  to  some  other  man. 

Some  time  ago  we  heard  a  preacher  of  some  note  ex- 
press the  wish,  in  the  midst  of  a  rather  scattering  sermon 
that  he  had  "time  to  exhaust  the  text."  It  seemed  to  us 
that  more  than  time  was  needed.  And  that  same  thing 
is  true  in  this  case. 

Quoting  from  Dr.  Lathan's  history  of  the  Associate 
Reformed  church,  "there  were  present  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Synod  seven  ministers,  two  probationers  and 
six  ruling  elders."  , 

The  ministers  w^ere  James  Rogers,  William  Black- 
stock,  John  Hemphill,  James  McKnight,  Alexander  Por- 
ter, James  McGill  and  Robert  Irwin. 

The  first  named,  James  Rogers,  preached  the  opening 
sermon  at  the  organization  of  the  Synod  and  was  the 
Moderator  of  the  meeting.  He  was  an  Irishman  by 
birth,  a  Scotchman  by  education — a  graduate  of  Glasgow 
University — and  an  American  citizen  by  choice.  At  the 
time  of  the  organization  he  was  comparatively  a  young 
man — not  Cjuite  35  years  old — and  seems  to  have  been  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  power.  We  might  form 
this  opinion  from  his  being  chosen  to  preach  the  first 
sermon  and  to  preside  over  the  first  meeting  of  the  Synod. 
And  then  the  records  of  that  time,  such  as  have  come 
down  to  us,  speak  of  him  as  a  man  of  fine  attainments 
and  decidedly  attractive  and  popular,  both  as  a  preacher 
and  as  a  man.  His  work  was  not  confined  to  preaching. 
He  was  also  a  teacher  of  marked  ability  and  success. 

For  twenty-four  years  he  was  pastor  of  Cannon's 
Creek  and  King's  Creek  in  Newberry  County,  and  of 
Ebenezer — the  old  Brick  church.  And  of  the  last  he 
continued  pastor  until  his  death — nearly  forty  years. 

If  he  has  any  living  descendants  we  know  nothing  of 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  627 

them.  Our  Second  Clerk  bears  the  name  and  bears  it 
worthil}-. 

Wilham  Blackstock  was  also  an  Irishman  by  birth,  a 
Scotchman  by  education  and  an  American  citizen  from 
choice.  He  was  a  man  of  some  eccentricities  but  of  more 
than  ordinary  independence  and  energy  even  for  those 
days.  His  sermons  were  condensed  and  solid  and  de- 
livered with  force;  and  while  others  measured  their 
sermons  by  the  hour,  he  rarely  preached  more  than 
thirty-five  or  forty  minutes.  Indeed,  on  one  occasion 
he  interrupted  Father  McKnight  in  the  midst  of  one  of 
his  long  sermons  and  asked  him  to  bring  his  discourse 
to  a  close  and  let  the  people  go  home.  (For  this  inter- 
ruption he  was  not  put  out  of  the  synagogue  nor  even 
censured  so  far  as  we  know,  but  Father  McKnight  did 
not  think  he  was  prompted  from  above.) 

In  stature  he  was  low,  in  complexion  very  dark;  and 
when  on  one  occasion  he  looked  out  of  one  of  those  high 
enclosed  pulpits  which  hid  all  but  his  head  and  announced 
his  text,  "I  am  black  but  comely,  O  ye  daughters  of  Je- 
rusalem," even  our  grave  and  dignified  ancestors  could 
scarcely  repress  a  smile  and  are  believed  to  have  laughed 
outright  after  the  Sabbath  was  past." 

I>ut  under  his  Irish  wit  and  his  Scotch  "dourness" 
there  was  a  tender  heart.  The  wife  of  his  youth  died  in 
earlv  life  under  circumstances  touchingly  painful  to  him, 
and  he  carried  a  lonely  heart  to  his  grave. 

His  principal  work  was  done  in  Steele  Creek,  Neely's 
Creek  and  Tirzah  in  Union  County.  X.  C.  (now  in  con- 
nection with  the  Southern  Presbyterian  church)  of 
which  last  he  was  pastor  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

His  last  sermon  was  preached  at  Sardis.  X.  C,  he 
died  at  the  home  of  Richard  Peoples,  father  of  Rev.  J. 
IT.  Peoples,  and  was  buried  at  Tirzah.  I  have  stood  by 
his  grave  there,  near  the  grave  of  my  mother's  father, 
and  have  thought  that  while  he  left  no  children  to  bear 
his  name  on  earth  his  children  in  the  gospel  were  not 
few. 


528  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

The  next  name  on  the  roll  is  John  Hemphill,,  a  name 
that  belongs  to  the  present  as  well  as  to  the  past,  a  name 
the  very  sound  of  which  makes  us  think  of  mental  power 
and  sterling  worth. 

He,  too,  was  of  Irish  birth  but  obtained  his  education 
in  this  country.  He  graduated  at  Dickinson  College, 
Pa.,  in  1792  at  the  age  of  thirty-one,  having  been  depen- 
dent it  seems  on  his  own  labor  for  means  to  obtain  his 
education.  The  tuition  of  his  theological  course  he  paid, 
in  part  at  least,  by  marrying  the  daughter  of  his  teacher. 
Rev.  ]\Iatthew  Linn,  of  Greencastle,  Pa. 

His  pastoral  charge  was  Hopewell,  Union  and  New 
Hope ;  these  last  two  being  organized  under  his  ministry. 
Here  he  lived  and  labored ;  here  he  left  impressions  deep 
and  lasting;  and  from  this  field  of  labor  he  sent  forth 
influences  for  good.  Wherever  the  children  of  these  old 
churches  have  gone — and  they  have  scattered  far  and 
wide — there  the  power  of  Dr.  Hemphill's  ministry  has 
been  felt. 

It  becomes  me  to  bear  personal  testimony  here.  In  my 
own  charge — people  staunch  and  true — are  a  number 
whose  ancestors  were  brought  up  under  his  ministry,  and 
tl*:  worthy  wife  of  Salem's  first  pastor  was  a  daughter 
of  Dr.  Hemphill.  , 

In  those  qualities  that  make  a  man  of  influence  and  a 
minister  of  power  he  seemed  to  be  prominent  among  his 
brethren — a  Paul  among  the  Apostles. 

He  was  the  only  one  of  the  seven  to  whose  name  I 
have  found  D.  D.  attached — and  they  do  say  that  capital 
D's  meant  more  then  than  they  do  in  these  days. 

A  word  as  to  his  descendants.  One  of  them,  a  grand- 
son. (J.  C.  Hemphill,  Editor  of  the  Charleston  A'ezvs 
and  Courier,)  we  shall  hear  this  afternoon — a  man  who 
occupies  a  position  of  influence  second,  in  my  judgment, 
to  none  in  this  State  to-day.  Another  (  Ccn.  R.  R.  Hemp- 
hill )  is  now  and  has  been  for  years  one  of  your  prom- 
inent legislators.     Another   (Hon.  J.  J.   Hemphill)    was 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  629 

for  years  one  of  the  leading  men  in  the  national  Con- 
gress. Still  another  (Dr.  C.  R.  Hemphill,  of  Louisville, 
Kv.,)  is  engaged  in  training  young  men  for  the  univer- 
sity in  the  Preshyterian  church.  These  and  others  bear 
the  name  Hemphill. 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  that  name  after  being  on 
our  ministerial  roll  for  nearly  a  hundred  years,  is  not 
there  now.  But  under  the  name  of  Moffatt  and  Grier  the 
Hemphill  blood  is  in  our  ministry  still. 

James  AIcKnight  was  born  near  Coddle  Creek,  X.  C, 
and  graduated  at  Dickinson  College,  Pa.,  a  classmate 
of  Dr.  Hemphill.  In  1797  he  became  pastor  of  Coddle 
Creek,  Gilead  and  Prosperity  where  he  preached  the 
gospel  until  his  death  in  1831. 

In  size  he  was  like  the  children  of  Anak — weighing 
over  300  pounds ;  in  voice  he  w^as  a  Boanerges ;  in  rid- 
ing, like  the  son  of  Ximshi.  I  have  heard  my  father  say 
that  he  generally  rode  at  a  gallop  and  frequently  with  a 
loose  horse  galloping  along  behind.  I  suppose  this  was 
to  have  a  change  of  horses  in  case  the  one  he  was  riding 
should  give  out. 

Those  were  the  days  of  long  sermons,  and  two  of  them 
at  that;  and  Father  McKnight  lived  up  to  the  full 
measure  of  his  privileges.  Little  of  the  Sabbath  was 
spent  in  the  private  exercises  of  worship  by  those  who 
attended  his  preaching.  On  one  occasion  it  is  said  that 
he  preached  so  long  that  his  hearers  all  left  him  on  ac- 
coinit  of  approaching  night ;  and  when  last  of  all  the  sex- 
ton left,  he  requested  him  to  shut  the  door  when  he  got 
through.  Whether  he  preached  much  longer  or  not 
there  was  no  one  left  to  tell. 

It  is  also  said  that  his  marriage  ceremony  was  some- 
times an  hour  long,  at  the  end  of  which  it  is  believed 
that  the  couple  as  well  as  the  ceremony  was  suitably 
solemnized.  How  our  grandmothers  endured  it  we  do 
not  know,  but  we  liave  reason  to  think  that  some  of  them 
did  survive. 


630  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

But  notwithstanding  the  length  of  his  sermons,  which 
would  have  rendered  him  unacceptable  in  our  day,  he 
was  an  able  and  devoted  minister  of  the  gospel,  and 
his  labors  brought  forth  fruit. 

Alexander  Porter  was  born  in  Abbeville  County,  S. 
C,  graduated  at  Dickinson  College,  Pa.,  and  was  pastor 
of  Cedar  Springs  and  Long  Cane  from  1798  until  18 14 
when  he  moved  North.  From  some  incidental  references 
we  judge  that  he  went  North  on  account  of  ill  health. 
His  work  was  prospering,  but  it  was  more  than  he  was 
able  to  do.  After  his  removal  his  health  improved  and 
he  continued  to  preach  the  gospel  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  left  five  children,  three  daughters  and  two  sons — a 
minister  and  a  physician. 

Of  James  McGill  we  know  but  little.  He  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  graduated  at  Dickinson  College  and  about 
a  year  before  the  Synod  was  organized  he  was  installed 
pastor  of  Little  River  and  Rocky  Springs  in  Abbeville 
County,  S.  C.  This  charge  he  demitted  in  1805  and  two 
years  later  he  moved  to  Ohio  where  he  lived  a  very  se- 
cluded life.  He  seemed  to  be  partially  unbalanced  in  his 
mind. 

The  last  of  the  seven,  Robert  Irwin,  was  a  native  of 
Ireland  and  obtained  his  education  in  Scotland.  He 
taught  school  for  awhile  near  Bethel,  Ga.,  where  he 
married  a  Miss  Little.  After  her  death  he  studied  the- 
ology under  Rev.  Alexander  Porter  and  was  elected 
pastor  of  Generostee  in  Anderson  and  Diamond  Hill  in 
Abbeville  County,  not  long  before  the  Synod  was  organ- 
ized.    This  pastorate  continued  until  his  death  in   1833. 

He  was  an  earnest  preacher  of  the  gospel  and  a  zeal- 
ous worker.  He  made  it  a  point  never  to  make  a  call 
or  visit  without  giving  if  possible  some  religious  instruc- 
tion. 

He  was  twice  married,  first  to  a  Miss  Little,  and  af- 
terwards to  a  Miss  Gordon,  aunt  of  Revs.  N.  M.  and 
Gilbert  Gordon,  but  left  no  children. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  63 1 

This  exhausts  the  Hsts  of  ordained  ministers.  There 
were  two  probationers,  James  McAuley  and  Isaac  Grier. 

(  )f  James  AIcAuley  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn  any- 
thing, not  knowing  where  to  inquire  for  information. 

Of  Isaac  Grier  it  would  be  easy  to  say  more  than  time 
will  i)ermit.  lie  was  born  in  Georgia  in  1776 — the  first 
Presbyterian  minister  born  in  that  State.  He  graduated 
at  Dickinson  College  in  Pennsylvania  and  was  installed 
pastor  of  Waxhaw,  or  Tirzah,  Providence  and  Sardis 
in  1S04.  The  last  he  held  until  near  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1843. 

To  say  that  he  did  a  good  and  lasting  work  there  and 
throughout  the  Synod  is  but  a  feeble  expression  of  the 
truth.  Not  only  did  he  leave  the  stamp  of  his  strong 
and  devoted  life  on  his  own  people,  but  he  was  the  chief 
stay  of  the  church  in  her  darkest  hour.  When  he  saw 
the  fathers,  Rogers,  Blackstock,  McKnight  and  Hemp- 
hill follow  each  other  in  quick  succession  to  the  grave 
and  he  left  alone  of  that  original  band — if  he  ever  fal- 
tered in  his  principles  or  weakened  in  his  faith  we  do  not 
know  it.  His  was  the  strength  that  was  able  to  stand  in 
the  day  of  trial.  But  he  lived  to  see  brighter  days.  He 
saw  the  college  and  the  seminary  organized  and  young 
men  coming  into  their  father's  places. 

We  have  no  wish  to  bestow  undue  praise,  but  if  it 
had  not  been  for  Dr.  Isaac  Grier  we  might  possibly  not 
have  celebrated  our  centennial  to-day.  His  work  in  a 
very  real  sense  has  covered  the  whole  century.  On  our 
roll  to-day  is  the  name  of  one  still  living  who  was  reared 
under  his  ministry — Rev.  Isaac  Grier  McLaughlin. 

As  to  his  descendants  little  need  be  said.  They  are  too 
A'ell  known.  .\  son,  (Dr.  R.  C.  Grier)  and  a  grandson 
(Dr.  W.  l\r.  Grier)  were  Presidents  of  Erskine  College. 
On  the  camjius  of  the  College  there  stands  a  marble 
likeness  of  that  grandson,  who  added  honor  to  an  hon- 
ored name. 

Another  grandson  (Rev.  B.  H.  Grier)  bears  the  name. 


632 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


and  bears  it  worthily,  on  our  roll  to-day.  Another  (Paul 
L.  Grier)  is  a  Professor  in  Erskine  College.  Still  an- 
other (Rev.  Mark  B.  Grier)  is  a  missionary  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  China.  While  a  great  grandson 
(Rev.  R.  L.  Grier)  is  also  preaching  the  gospel  in  con- 
nection with  the  Presbyterian  church. 

This  ends  the  list  of  ministers.  One  thing  has  been 
a  mystery  to  me,  why  was  there  no  Pressly  on  that  list? 
How  the  Synod  ever  managed  to  organize  without  them 
we  cannot  tell.  Our  U.  P.  brethren  couldn't  do  it.  They 
had  to  send  South  for  one  (Dr.  John  T.  Pressly)  nearly 
thirty  years  beforehand  to  have  him  for  Moderator  of 
their  first  General  Assembly.  We  can  hardl>-  run  a  Pres- 
bytery to-day  (to  say  nothing  of  the  College  and  Semi- 
nary) without  a  Pressly.  And  when  our  next  Centennial 
comes  no  name  will  be  so  honored  as  the  name  of  Pressly. 

As  to  the  Ruling  Elders  in  that  first  meeting  of  Synod 
— six  names  are  given.  Charles  Montgomery,  Alex- 
ander Stewart,  Duke  Bell,  Andrew  McQuiston,  Arthur 
Morrow,  and  Henry  Hunter. 

Of  the  first  two  I  have  been  able  to  learn  nothing — 
not  even  the  churches  they  represented.  I  knew  not 
where  to  seek  for  information.  Of  the  others  I  knew  but 
little  more. 

Arthur  Morrow  was  from  Cedar  Spring  and  is  spoken 
of  as  an  able,  useful  elder.  He  was  probably  the  ances- 
tor of  the  Morrows  in  that  community  now. 

Duke  Bell  was  from  the  Brick  Church.  Whether  or 
not  he  has  any  living  descendants  we  do  not  know.  He 
was  an  uncle  of  Dr.  James  Boyce's  first  wife,  and  of 
the  late  C.  E.  Bell,  whose  wife  and  children  now  live  in 
and  near  Charlotte.   N.   C. 

Andrew  McQuiston  was  from  Ho]:)ewell.  vS.  C.  and 
his  great  grandchildren  are  now  officers  and  members 
of  Salem,  my  own  pastoral  charge,  where  the  name  Mc- 
Quiston stands  for  strict  integrity  and  solid  worth. 

Henry  Htmter  was  from  Coddle  Creek.  N.  C.     Strong 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  633 

and  true  himself,  his  descendants  bear  that  character 
to  this  day.  A  grandson  (Rev.  John  Hunter)  was  the 
only  pastor  I  ever  had.  Two  of  his  great  grandsons 
(Rev.  J.  S  .A.  and  W.  M.  Hunter)  are  here  to-day,  and 
also  three  others  who  bear  other  names  (Revs.  J.  M. 
Garrison,  A.  J.  Ranson  and  J.  B.  Hood.) 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  we  know  so  little  about 
these  ruling  elders.  Doubtless  they  were  not  prominent 
in  the  organization  and  business  of  the  Synod  But  they, 
and  men  like  them  were  the  real  foundation  on  which 
that  organization  rested  and  on  which  it  rests  to-day. 
Had  it  not  been  for  them  there  would  been  nothing  here 
to  organize.  Like  the  foundation,  not  seen  ;  but.  like  it. 
they  gave  strength  and  permanence  to  the  structure. 
Strong,  noble  men  ! 

As  to  the  churches  which  composed  the  Synod — we  at- 
tempt only  a  very  brief  mention. 

The  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  James  Rogers  was  Can- 
non's Creek  and  King's  Creek  in  Newberry  County,  and 
Ebenezer — the  old  Brick  Church.  The  names  of  these 
churches  have  not  been  blotted  out,  but  they  are  not 
strong.  The  old  Brick  Church  through  removals  has 
almost  become  a  memory  of  the  past. 

Rev.  ^^'illiam  Blackstock's  charge  at  the  time  of  the 
organization  was  Steele  Creek,  Neely's  Creek,  and  Ebe- 
nezer, near  where  the  town  (or  city)  of  Rock  Hill  now 
stands.  The  last  named  exists  no  longer.  The  other 
two  are  still  alive  and  vigorous  with  strong  active  pas- 
tors— S.  J.  Patterson  and  Oliver  Johnson. 

Dr.  Hemphill's  charge  was  Hopewell,  where  Rev.  John 
A.  ^\'hiu■.  the  present  pastor,  was  born  and  reared,  and 
where  he  has  preached  the  gospel  for  a  (|uarter  or  half 
a  century  ;  Union,  the  pastoral  charge  of  our  honored 
Moderator  (Dr.  C.  B.  Betts)  and  Ebenezer,  now  New 
Hope,  in  this  county  (  Fairfield  ).  He,  too,  had  his  Ebene- 
zer— "stone  of  help," — a  monument  of  gratitude  to  God 
for  his  help  in  the  i)ast.  and  a  testimony  of  his  faith  in  the 
help  of  Ciod  in  the  future. 


634 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


Two  of  these  churches,  Hopewell  and  New  Hope,  are 
weak  compared  with  what  they  once  were,  but  their 
strength  has  not  been  lost  to  the  kingdom.  Far  and  wide 
their  children  have  gone  to  build  up  other  churches. 

The  pastoral  charge  of  James  INIcKnight  was  Coddle 
Creek,  the  church  of  his  birth  and  childhood,  Gilead  and 
Prosperity.  These  churches  still  stand  after  the  lapse  of 
a  hundred  years  and  are  ministered  to  by  R.  C.  Davidson, 
J.  M.  Bigham  and  T.  B.  Stewart  who  are  all  present  at 
this  meeting.  It  was  in  Coddle  Creek  that  our  Senior 
Missionary  in  Mexico,  Dr.  Neill  E.  Pressly,  was  born 
and  reared. 

Cedar  Spring  and  Long  Cane  constituted  the  pastoral 
charge  of  Rev.  Alexander  Porter,  the  former  a  very 
strong  congregation  with  over  five  hundred  members, 
now  weak  because  its  strength  has  gone  to  other  churches 
near  at  hand  and  far  away.  Both  are  still  on  our  roll, 
Cedar  Spring  at  present  without  a  pastor,  Long  Cane 
under  the  oversight  of  Rev.  R.  F.  Bradley. 

Rocky  Springs  and  Little  River,  in  Abbeville  county, 
were  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  James  McGill.  Of 
these  we  have  been  unable  to  learn  anything.  Their 
names  disappeared  from  the  roll  we  know  not  how  long 
ago. 

Old  Generostee,  a  part  of  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev. 
Robert  Irwin,  still  lives,  with  her  daughters.  Concord, 
Grove,  and  Iva,  around  her.  Diamond  Hill,  his  other 
church,  is  a  name  that  belongs  to  the  past. 

Rev.  Isaac  Grier's  charge,  over  which  he  was  installed 
soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Synod,  was  Sardis — a 
name  dear  to  some  of  us — at  present  the  pastoral  charge 
of  Dr.  R.  G.  Miller ;  Providence,  which  belongs  to  the 
past ;  and  Waxhaw,  or  Tirzah,  now  in  the  Southern 
Presbyterian  church. 

Of  the  vacant  congregations  at  the  time  of  the  organ- 
ization, some  are  living  and  growing;  some  have  passed 
away.     New  Perth  and  New  Sterling,  in  North  Carolina, 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  635 

constitute  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  E.  F.  Griffith. 
Prosperity,  S.  C,  is  a  part  of  the  field  and  force  of  Rev. 
C.  M.  Boyd.  Due  West  Corner  is  no  longer  a  "Corner," 
but  a  city  of  some  five  or  six  hundred  inhabitants,  with 
two  colleges,  a  seminary  and  a  church  paper,  and  so  large 
to  its  size  that  a  western  man  thought  from  reading  the 
Presbyterian  that  it  contained  a  a  population  of  about 
twenty  thousand.  (That  was  before  the  present  editors 
had  charge  of  the  paper.) 

I'.uck  1  lead,  Ga.,  has  changed  its  name  to  Bethel,  and 
is  now  watched  over  by  the  longest  minister  of  the  Synod 
(Rev.  J.  S.  Mills)  "the  right  man  in  the  right  place." 
Big  Creek,  now  Ebenezer,  was  for  a  long  time  the  charge 
of  the  venerable  Dr.  D.  G.  Phillips  and  is  now  ministered 
to  by  Rev.  R.  E.  Hough. 

Warrior's  Creek,  in  Laurens  County,  S.  C,  is  now 
known  by  the  name  of  Ora — the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev. 
B.  H.  Grier.  (It  is  near  the  old  site  of  "Scuffletown," 
the  home  of  Bro.  H.  B.  Blakely  in  his  youthful  days.) 

Some  other  vacancies  are  no  longer  on  our  roll.  At 
that  time,  history  states  that  we  had  a  church  in  the  city 
of  Charleston.  Perhaps  we  might  claim  one  now  in  the 
j)crson  of  Maj.  J.  C.  Hemphill,  but  we  believe  he  doesn't 
make  regular  reports  to  Synod. 

Then  we  find  such  names  as  Crystal  Springs,  Raburns 
Creek,  Rocky  Springs,,  Twenty-Six  Mile  Creek,  in  South 
Carolina,  and  Joppa  and  Eighteen  Mile  Creek,  in  Geor- 
gia. But  these  "Springs"  and  "Creeks"  have  all  run 
dry.  ]\Tost  likely  they  were  but  weak  organizations  then. 
Besides  these,  there  were  some  others  which  sought 
connection  with  other  denominations  or  were  disorgan- 
ized about  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Synod. 

From  this  brief  outline  it  can  be  seen  that  there  was  no 
proportion  between  the  field  and  the  laborers.  Thirty- 
five  churches,  besides  other  preaching  stations,  scattered 
over  three  States,  and  only  eight  or  nine  minsters  to  look 
after  this  wide  field!     Trulv  the  harvest  was  great  and 


636  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

the  laborers  few.  If  only  there  had  been  laborers  equal 
to  the  work  how  different  our  Centennial  mio-ht  have 
been  to-day !  What  a  call  to  us  to  pray  now  for  bborers, 
and  to  work  with  untiring  energy  to  gather  in  the  harvest 
ripe  around  us  into  the  garner  of  the  Lord ! 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  637 

A.   R.   P.   Ministers'   Wives. 

Address  by  Rev.  W.  M.  Hunter. 

(At  llic  Centennial  Celebration  of  A.  R.   P.   Synod,  Winnsboro, 

S.   C.) 

Htimanly  speaking;  the  niiiiistry  get  the  credit  for  the 
growth  of  our  Zion.  Bttt  the  wife,  too,  is  an  important 
factor,  a  potential  influence,  a  positive  power. 

Our  ministers'  wives  deserve  more  than  a  passing  no- 
tice. Would  that  my  feeble  pen  and  stammering  tongue 
were  equal  to  the  task ! 

They  have  crossed  the  threshold  of  affluence  and  ease 
and  turned  from  society  delightful  and  in  harmony  with 
birth  and  education.  Not  knowing  whither  they  went, 
risked  new  scenes  and  new  fields,  Arkansas  fever,  Texas 
cyclones,  Georgia  malaria,  Kentucky  and  West  Virginia 
pneumonia  and  Mexican  yellow  fever.  Did  the  minister 
have  something-  to  risk?     She  more. 

Not  only  has  she  gone  from  the  tiowcrs  i)lanted 
and  home  provided  in  faith,  trusting  her  master  to  pro- 
vide a  comfortable  one,  a  hearty  welcome,  wise  and  judi- 
cious friends  to  fill  the  void,  but  she  has  been  the  first, 
the  very  first,  to  lay  herself  on  the  altar  of  self-denial. 

The  minister  must  travel,  it  is  usually  for  his  wife's 
health,  must  expend  generally  at  her  charge.  If  any 
one  nnist  stav  at  home,  nurse  the  sick  child,  see  after  the 
endless  details  of  home  and  farm,  wait  longest  for  the  new 
bonnet  and  comfortable  cloak,  it  is  the  wife  in  the  par- 
sonage who  is  happy  to  relieve  the  situation.  Then  she 
sacrifices  her  precious  time.  It  is  often  frittered  away  in 
endless  calls,  numl)erless  little  details.,  doleful  wrongs, 
misgivings  and  misunderstanding  poured  from  both  sides 
into  her  sym]xithetic  ear.     Some  of  these  get  no  farther 


638 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


than  the  parsonage  sitting-room,  save  she  chooses  to  tell 
her  hege  upstairs. 

The  demands  on  her  time  are  simply  enormous,  yet  the 
full  tale  of  the  brick  is  expected  in  tidy  housekeeping 
and  generous  hospitality. 

She  is  expected  to  give  up  her  opinion.  Sister  Smith 
is  kin  to  the  most  wealthy  and  influential  members  and 
has  been  running  things  and  having  her  own  way. 
Though  the  measure  proposed  by  Sister  Smith  is  ex- 
tremely doubtful,  uncertain  and  unwise,  }'et  the  pastor's 
wife  must  graciously  surrender  or  risk  doing  worse. 

Our  wives  are  first  class  managers.  They  can  make  a 
little  go  so  far,  cause  the  oil  and  the  meal  to  be  indefi- 
nite, multiply  in  division  and  add  in  subtraction.  This 
suggests  to  me  ravens'  visits  while  we  are  in  study  or  at 
Synod. 

She  is  fertile  of  resources,  can  cut  two  coats  from  a 
pattern  and  a  half,  make  60  cents  pay  a  dollar  debt,  and 
from  a  slender  pantry  set  a  substantial  meal. 

She  is  a  diplomat  of  no  ordinary  ability.  Eternity 
alone  will  reveal  how  often  she  has  corrected  the  blun- 
ders and  self-will  of  her  less  half.  In  oiling  the  machin- 
ery of  the  church,  many  have  been  the  difficulties  healed, 
the  estranged  won,  the  careless  warned. 

She  has  wrought  in  private  while  he  worshipped  in 
public,  she  has  toiled  in  lonesome  hours,  while  he  so- 
journed in  lonely  homes,  she  has  kept  vigil  over  their 
sick  boy  while  he  kneels  with  a  fevered  child  far  away; 
she  has  kept  the  altar  at  their  home  while  he  was  kind- 
ling it  in  another. 

All  honor  to  the  uncrowned  queens,  the  unordained 
missionaries,  the  loyal,  devoted  consecrated  wives  of 
A.  R.P.  ministers!  She  has  won  the  tired  and  discour- 
aged pastor  back  to  hope  by  her  gentle  nianner,  womanly 
tact  and  consummate  skill.  Half  ])ersuaded  to  enter  a 
lucrative  office  and  crush  the  demon  of  debt,  she,  like  an 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  639 

ang-eL,  stands  between  him  and  the  precipice,  and  inspires 
new  service  by  renewed  sacrifice. 

We  honor  the  287  ministers  of  this  Synod  who  have 
turned  their  backs  on  gain  and  for  love  of  Christ  and 
devotion  to  principle,  have  gone  tip  and  down  this  South- 
land. But  shall  that  weaker  vessel,  though  bearing  the 
heavier  load,  who  follows  his  field  and  fortune,  "who 
tarrieth  by  the  stuff,"  not  part  alike?  (i  Sam.  30:24). 
Another  volume  ought  to  be  printed.  How  would  Mrs. 
James  Boyce,  Mrs.  Jane  Young,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Chalmers, 
Mrs.  Torbit,  and  hundreds  of  others  of  whom  the  world 
is  not  worthy,  how  would  they  adorn  such  a  book? 

The  A.  R.  P.  church  is  not  true  to  herself  to  leave  out 
the  better,  to  omit  the  power  behind  the  throne. 

I  would  not  discourage  any  who  may  be  solicited  to 
join  this  noble  band  of  martyrs. 

With  all  her  trials,  if  I  was  a  woman.  I  would  rather 
be  a  preacher's  wife  than  the  President's,  especially  an 
A.  R.  P. 


540  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


Introductory  Remarks. 

By  Hon.   J.    N,    Miller. 

I  appreciate  the  honor  of  presiding  on  this  historic 
occasion,  and  I  regret  that  the  intentional  or  uninten- 
tional association  of  two  centennial  names  on  the  program 
this  evening  will  be  broken  by  the  absence  of  Rev.  B  H. 
Grier,  whose  place  I  have  been  unexpectedly  called  upon 
to  take.  It  was  historic  and  suggestive  that  a  Grier 
should  introduce  a  Hemphill. 

I  have  been  considering  why  I  was  selected  to  do 
some  of  the  honors  of  the  evening;  and  while  thinking, 
learned  that  one  hundred  years  ago,  when  our  Synod 
was  organized,  our  fathers  resolved  that  no  vacant 
church  should  be  represented  on  the  floor  of  Synod  by 
elders. 

In  according  me  the  honor  of  presiding  this  afternoon, 
it  is  made  manifest  that  something  in  these  days  is  ac- 
corded to  the  eldership. 

While  we  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterians  are  cele- 
brating our  first  centennial,  and  while  one  hundred  years 
at  this  stage  of  the  world's  history  is  not  a  long  period 
in  some  regards,  we  glory,  not  only  in  the  centennial  of 
our  church  organization,  but  glory  more  in  the  more 
ancient  doctrines  on  which  our  church  is  founded. 

We  have  now  a  church  complete  in  all  its  functions.  We 
have  our  colleges,  male  and  female,  our  seminary,  our 
domestic  and  foreign  missions,  our  orphanage  and  litera- 
ture and  periodicals  and  our  ladies'  and  young  people's 
societies.  Our  fathers  started  without  any  of  these 
great  arms  of  the  church.  Thus  after  one  hundred  years 
we  present  to  the  Christian  world  an  organization 
equipped  for  God's  work  at  home  and  abroad.  And  in 
commemoration  in  part  of  the  work  that  has  been  accom- 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  64I 

plished,  it  is  my  honor  this  afternoon  to  present  to  you 
as  one  of  the  orators  of  this  occasion,  a  distinguished 
citizen  of  the  State  of  South  Carohna,  a  worthy  son  of 
Erskine  College  and  a  college  mate  of  whom  I  have  most 
pleasant  memories,  the  Hon.  J.  C.  Hemphill,  of  Charles- 
ton, S.  C. 


Scotch-Irish  Presbyterianism  in  History. 

ADDRESS  BY  HON.  J.  C.  HEMPHILL. 

Mr.  Moderator,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen :  Scotch-Irish 
Presbyteranism  in  History  is,  indeed,  a  very  large  part 
of  history,  and  particularly  of  the  history  of  English- 
speaking  people  for  more  than  three  hundred  years.  There 
has  not  been  a  great  achievement  in  arms,  literature, 
science,  government  or  legislation  with  which  it  has  not 
been  associated  in  some  influential  degree.  The  uncom- 
promising enemy  of  superstition  and  priestcraft,  the  pa- 
tron of  letters,  the  teacher  of  a  saving  faith  in  the  eter- 
nal verities,  the  very  sanctuary  of  Truth,  it  has  been  a 
dominating  force  in  the  elevation  of  the  world  of  thought 
and  impulse  and  feeling  above  the  miasma  of  ecclesias- 
tical ignorance  into  the  perfect  light  of  intellectual  free- 
dom. Call  the  roll  of  the  most  illustrious  martyrs  for 
conscience-sake  and  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  will  an- 
swer. The  faces  of  the  dead  on  every  battlefield  of  three 
centuries,  where  the  contest  was  waged  between  Right 
and  Wrong,  Truth  and  Falsehood,  Freedom  and  Op- 
pression, testify  the  devotion  of  these  people  to  their 
faith  and  duty.  In  the  cold  of  winter,  the  heat  of  sum- 
mer, hiding  in  caves  and  dens  of  earth,  starving  in  the 
wilderness,  languishing  in  prison,  burning  at  the  stake, 
it  must  have  been  such  as  they  that  St.  John  saw  in  his 
Apocalyptic  vision  coming  up  out  of  great  tribulation 
into  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. 
41 


642  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

Presbvterianisni  is  a  system  of  pure  representative 
government,  says  the  Rev.  Dr.  Breed  in  his  work  on 
"Presbyterianism  and  the  Revolution;"  has  always  been 
particularly  odious  to  tyrants,  was  the  first  to  raise  its 
voice  in  favor  of  breaking  away  from  British  control,  and 
was  largely  instrumental  in  influencing  the  American  col- 
onies to  form  the  Confederation  of  States,  and  then  the 
American  Union.  It  is  not  true  that  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution was  fashioned  after  the  Presbyterian  form  of 
Church  government — it  is  true,,  however,  that  while 
strong,  earnest  and  courageous  men  of  other  communions 
aided  in  the  work  of  forming  the  Union  and  contributed 
each  in  some  degree  to  the  most  perfect  system  of  hu- 
man government  that  was  ever  devised,  the  makers  of 
the  Declaration  and  the  Constitution  were  affected  deeply 
in  their  deliberations  and  conclusions  by  the  Presbyterian 
spirit,  then  as  now  exercising  a  powerful  influence  upon 
the  leaders  of  public  sentiment  in  this  land. 

"The  American  form  of  civil  government,"  says  Dr. 
Briggs,  "was  a  happy  combination  of  some  of  the  best 
features  presented  in  Presbyterianism  and  in  Congrega- 
tionalism. There  is  no  reason  to  doubt,"  Dr.  Briggs  con- 
tinues, "that  Presbyterianism  influenced  the  framers  of 
the  Constitution  in  their  efforts  to  erect  a  national  organ- 
ization— a  constitutional  republic  ;"  but  it  was  not  the  only 
factor  in  the  making  of  the  Republic.  It  vaunted  not  it- 
self upon  its  achievements,  it  was  not  puft'ed  up ;  but  it 
was  one  of  the  chief  factors  in  planning  the  deliverance 
of  the  colonies  from  the  oppression  of  absentee  landlord- 
ism and  foreign  domination,  and  in  finally  winning  vic- 
tory. The  hands  that  cleared  the  wilderness  and  subdued 
the  savage  were  strong  enough  to  build  out  of  varied 
masses  of  differing  peoples  a  government  that,  in  spite  of 
its  many  disappointments  and  failures,  is  still  the  wonder 
of  the  world. 

It  was  the  Presbyterians  of  ^Tecklenburg  and  West- 
moreland  who   sounded   the   notes   of  defiance   to   King 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  643 

George  and  his  counsellors.  As  the  Rev.  Dr.  Quigg  said 
in  a  notable  address  at  the  dedication  of  a  Presbyterian 
church  in  Lexington,.  Georgia,  "Presbyterianism  stands 
for  a  free  church  polity,  simple  worship,  spiritual  life,  in- 
tellectual vigor,  the  nursery  of  schools  and  fountain  of 
civil  and  religious  liberty."  The  first  contest  for  lib- 
erty of  speech  and  freedom  of  conscience  was  made  in 
this  country  by  the  Scottish  Attorney  General  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Andrew  Hamilton,  aided  by  two  Presbyterian 
lawyers  of  New  York,  James  Alexander  and  William 
Smith.  The  casus  belli  was  John  Peter  Zenger,  the  pub- 
lisher of  the  New  York  Journal,  in  which  were  printed 
some  criticisms  of  William  Cosby,  the  Royal  Governor 
of  the  Province.  His  defence  was  undertaken  by  the 
Presbyterian  Junta  of  New  York,  and  in  spite  of  the 
adverse  rulings  of  the  Court,,  and  its  determination  to 
convict,  so  powerful  was  the  presentation  of  the  case  that 
Zenger  was  acquitted  by  the  jury,  without  division  or 
hesitation.  So  great  was  this  Presbyterian  triumph  that 
Gouverneur  ^Morris  declared  that  "the  trial  of  Zenger  in 
1735  was  the  germ  of  American  freedom — the  morning 
star  of  that  liberty  which  subsequently  revolutionized 
America." 

There  can  be  no  question  that  liberty  of  conscience 
and  freedom  of  speech  were  established  in  the  New 
World  by  men  of  Scottish  blood.  In  1754  the  formal 
protest  against  taxation  without  representation  was  made 
by  Benjamin  Franklin,  a  Presbyterian,  who  attended  the 
ministry  of  Samuel  Hemphill  in  Philadelphia  and  sus- 
tained him  when  he  was  charged  with  plagiarizing  his 
sermons,  on  the  ground  that  he  would  rather  sit  under 
the  preaching  of  a  minister  who  could  steal  a  good  ser- 
mon than  under  the  preaching  of  one  who  could  not  write 
a  good  sermon.  In  1760,  more  than  ten  years  before 
the  battle  of  Lexington,  the  Scotch-Irish  of  Pennsylva- 
nia rose  up  in  arms  against  the  principle  of  taxation 
without  representation  or  protection.     No  provision  was 


644 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


made  by   the   Government  to  guard   the   settlements   in 
Western   Pennsylvania,   Maryland   and  Virginia  against 
the  atrocities  of  savage  warfare,  and  the  Scotch-Irish  in 
Lancaster  and  Cumberland  counties,  Pennsylvania,  pro- 
vided for  their  own  defence  by  the  organization  of  sev- 
eral companies  of  Rangers,,  which  inflicted  terrible  pun- 
ishment upon  the  savage   foe  and   restored  peace  to   a 
desolated  region.     It  is  noted  by  Hanna  that  probably 
the  first  instance  of  the  operation  of  lynch  law  in  America 
occurred  when  the  Paxtang  Rangers  forced  the  jail  at 
Lancaster   and   massacred   every   Indian   confined   there, 
fourteen    in   number.      Twenty   years    later   the    Scotch- 
Irish    of    Washington    County,    Pennsylvania,    murdered 
in  cold  blood  ninety  men,   women   and   children   of  the 
Moravian  Indians.  These  bloody  reprisals  were  defended 
on    the    ground    that    the    law    was    not    strong    enough 
for  the  protection  of  the  people.     The   Captain  of  the 
Paxtang  Rangers  was  the  Rev.  John  Elder,  minister  of 
Paxtang  and  Derry  congregations,  who  tried  to  restrain 
the  bloodthirstiness  of  his  people  without  avail,  and  who 
afterwards  defended  their  course  as  "one  of  those  youth- 
ful   ebulitions    of    wrath    caused    by    momentary    excite- 
ment,   to   which    human    infirmity    is    subjected."      It    is 
of  personal  interest  to  me  that  the  Rev.  John  Elder  was 
succeeded  in  the  pastorate  of  the  Paxtang  congregation 
by  the  Rev.  Matthew  Lind,  my  great-grandfather. 

The  spirit  of  resistance  to  foreign  oppression  which 
was  first  manifested  by  the  Scotch-Irish  of  Pennsylvania 
and  New  York,  was  the  spirit  which  animated  these  lib- 
erty-loving people  in  the  Carolinas  and  in  the  colonies, 
wherever  they  had  established  communities.  They  ac- 
knowledged final  allegiance  only  to  the  King  of  Kings ; 
and  remembering  their  own  deliverance  from  bondage 
and  desiring  that  the  freedom  which  they  possessed 
should  be  extended  in  larger  measure  to  their  posterity, 
and  preserved  forever,  they  were  the  first  to  declare 
themselves  free  from  British  dominion,  pledging  to  the 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  645 

maintenance  of  this  solemn  covenant  their  hves,  their 
fortunes  and  their  sacred  honor.  This  declaration  was 
made  at  Charlotte,  North  Carolina,  in  May,  1775,  more 
than  a  year  before  the  Declaration  at  Philadelphia.  It 
was  drafted  by  Ephriam  Brevard,  a  ruling  elder  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  of  the  convention  which 
adopted  the  Declaration  one-third  of  the  members  were 
rulino-  elders.  In  the  seven  years  war  which  followed, 
the  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  were  faithful  unto  death 
and  in  every  battle  of  the  Revolution  fought  with  unsur- 
passed devotion  for  the  freedom  of  the  Colonies. 

■'Driven  from  their  adopted  home  in  the  Xorth  of  Ire- 
land by  English  persecution,"'  says  Douglass  Campbell 
in  "The  Puritan  in  Holland,  England  and  America," 
"there  was  burned  into  their  very  souls  the  bitter  recol- 
lection of  English  ingratitude  and  English  broken  faith. 
They  were  un-English  in  their  origin,  and  they  came  to 
America,  which  they  have  always  looked  upon  as  their 
own  country — hating  England,  her  Church  and  her  form 
of  government  with  the  intensest  hatred."  "They  were 
fitted  to  be  Americans  from  the  very  start,"  says  Theo- 
dore Roosevelt  in  "The  Winning  of  the  West,"  "they 
were  kinsfolk  of  the  Covenanters;  they  deemed  it  a  re- 
ligious duty  to  interpret  their  own  Bible  and  held  for  a 
divine  right  the  election  of  their  own  clergy.  For  gen- 
erations their  whole  ecclesiastic  and  scholastic  system 
had  been  fundamentally  democratic."  "Kinsfolk  of  the 
Covenanters?"  They  were  the  Covenanters  themselves, 
many  of  them  at  least,  all  of  them,  in  fact,  in  spirit,  if 
not  in  name,  were  of  that  uncompromising  stock  who 
"drew  the  blood  from  their  arms  to  furnish  ink  for  their 
pens  to  sign  the  solemn  league  and  covenant."  In  his 
history  of  Hopewell  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church,  the  Rev  Dr.  Lathan  says :  "John  Hemphill,  the 
father  of  the  second  pastor  of  Hopewell,  was  a  Cove- 
nanter, and  in  the  Covenanter  faith  and  practices  he 
educated   his   children.  .  .  .  John   Hemphill   in   common 


646  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

with  the  Covenanters,  regarded  the  crown  of  England  as 
stained  with  the  blood  of  the  "Reforming  Fathers." 
AMien  John  Hemphill  (the  second  pastor  of  Hopewell,) 
left  Ireland  he  was  a  member  of  the  Covenanter  Church, 
but  on  coming  to  America  he  connected  himself  with  the 
Associate  Reformed  Synod.  He  modelled  his  sermons 
in  accordance  with  the  system  of  sermonizing  common 
with  the  old  Covenanter  preachers  and  Secession  fathers. 

The  people  in  that  day  were  not  raised  on  chalk  water 
and  skim  milk.  The  revival  machinery  of  modern  up-to- 
date  religion,  the  hand  primary,  so  to  speak,  the  "Resto- 
ration Host"  had  not  been  invented  then.  The  people 
were  not  flooded  with  the  cheap  literature  of  the  present 
time.  Says  Dr.  Lathan :  "They  had  treatises  on  Justifi- 
cation, on  Adoption,  on  Sanctification,  on  Original  Sin, 
on  the  Attributes  of  God,  on  Predestination,  in  a  word, 
on  all  the  cardinal  doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion. 
They  were  read  and  reread  in  the  societies.  When  one 
individual  became  tired  reading,  another  took  his  place. 
Not  unfrequently  some  old  man  would  stop  reading 
by  asking  a  question,  to  which  some  other  old  man  would 
give  an  answer.  This  often  gave  rise  to  the  most  pro- 
found discussion  of  some  important  Bible  doctrine." 
Old  folks  and  young  were  grounded  in  the  Scriptures 
and  in  the  Catechism  of  the  Church,  which  contain  its 
testimony  to  the  truths,  the  understanding  of  which  is 
essential  to  salvation. 

In  his  book  on  "Presbyterianism,  the  Revolution,  the 
Declaration  and  the  Constitution,"  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smyth 
reviews  the  active  part  taken  by  Presbyterian  elders  in 
the  Province  of  South  Carolina.  The  battles  of  the  Cow- 
pens,  King's  Mountain  and  Pluck's  defeat  turned  the  tide 
of  victory  to  the  Patriot  arms.  Gen.  Morgan,  who  com- 
manded at  Cowpens.  was  a  Presbyterian  elder,  and  near- 
ly all  the  men  under  his  command  were  Presbyterians. 
Tn  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  Col.  Campbell,  Col. 
James  Williams,  Col.  CleavelancI,  Col.   Shelbv  and  Col. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  647 

Sevier  were  all  Presbyterian  elders,  and  the  body  of  their 
troops  were  gathered  from  Presbyterian  settlements.  At 
Huck's  defeat  in  York  Co.,  Col.  Bratton  and  Major  Dick- 
son were  both  elders  in  the  Presbyterian  Church."  ]\Iajor 
Samuel  Morrow,  who  served  under  Sumter,  was  a  ruling 
elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  fifty  years. 

"Concerning  the  patriotism  of  the  Scotch-Irish,"  says 
Hanna,  "the  general  testimony  of  contemporary  and  later 
writers  is  to  the  effect  that  there  were  no  Tories  among 
them,  and  that  they  were  uniformly  arrayed  against  the 
British."  The  exceptions  only  proved  the  rule  that  these 
people  were  faithful  in  their  allegiance  to  the  cause  of 
civil  and  religious  freedom  which  they  espoused  and  for 
which  they  were  ready  to  die.  It  was  the  Presbyterian 
elders  who  fought  the  decisive  battles  of  the  War  for 
Independence ;  and  to  the  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  this 
country  and  the  world  are  indebted  for  the  great  leaders 
in  American  politics  who  laid  the  foundations  of  our  in- 
stitutions so  firmly  and  have  ever  contended  valiantly 
for  the  faith  of  their  fathers.  What  a  galaxy  is  formed 
by  the  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  in  American  history. 
Planna.  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  so  much  information 
upon  the  subject  under  consideration,  says:  "Of  the 
State  Governors  from  1789  to  1885  the  Scotch  furnish  to 
Pennsylvania  nearly  one-half  her  chief  executives ;  to 
\irginia  nearly  one-third ;  to  North  Carolina,  more  than 
one- fourth  ;  to  South  Carolina,,  nearly  one-third ;  to  Geor- 
gia, more  than  one-half;  to  Alabama,  more  than  one- 
fifth  ;  to  ^Mississippi,  about  one-fifth ;  to  Louisiana,  more 
than  one-fifth ;  to  Texas,  about  one-third :  to  Tennessee, 
nearly  one-half;  to  Kentucky,  about  one-third;  to  Ohio, 
one-half ;  to  Indiana,  more  than  one-third ;  to  Illinois, 
nearly  one-third :  to  Missouri,,  nearly  one-half."  In 
statesmanship,  in  war  and  literature  and  business,  the 
Scotch  and  Scotch-Irish  have  held  first  place  in  Amer- 
ican achievement.  In  politics  and  statesmanship,  there 
arc   John    C.    Callvmn,    Alexander   H.    Stephens,    James 


648 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


Buchanan.  Alexander  Hamilton,  Jeremiah  S.  Black, 
Howell  Cobb,  James  K.  Polk,  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  Wil- 
liam McKinley,  Theodore  Roosevelt,  Marcus  A.  Hanna, 
Arthur  P.  Gorman,  and  a  host  of  others  whose  names  are 
written  imperishably  in  the  records  of  the  country.  An- 
drew Jackson,  Winfield  Scott;,  Zachary  Taylor,  Stonewall 
Jackson,  J.  E.  B.  Stuart,  James  Longstreet,  Nathan  B. 
Forrest.  John  Paul  Jones,  Oliver  Hazard  Perry,  Frank- 
lin Buchanan,  and  a  glorious  company  of  other  great 
fighters  and  strategists  have  added  lustre  to  the  military 
prowess  of  this  country  on  land  and  sea.  Washington 
Irving.  Edgar  Allen  Poe,  Gilbert  Stuart,  J.  Q.  A.  Ward, 
Joseph  Henry,  Thomas  A.  Edison,  John  Ericson,  Robert 
Fulton,  Alexander  Graham  Bell,  Asa  Gray,  A.  T.  Stew- 
art. Peter  Cooper,  Andrew  Carnegie  and  John  D.  Rock- 
efeller,, all  of  Scotch  birth  or  Scotch  ancestry,  have  illus- 
trated in  their  achievements  in  business  and  literature 
and  art  and  science  and  invention  and  in  works 
of  benevolence  the  strength  of  their  stock  and 
the  mastery  which  has  come  to  this  masterful  race 
because  of  the  simplicity  of  its  faith  and  its  abiding  trust 
in  God.  It  will  not  be  claimed  for  a  moment  that  all 
Scotchmen  and  Scotch-Irishmen — and  they  are  just  the 
same  with  the  slightest  advantage  possibh'  with  the 
Scotch-Irish  blend — are  Presbyterians ;  but  all  of  those 
named  were  either  brought  up  in  the  nurture  and  admon- 
ition of  the  Lord  according  to  Presbyterian  standards 
or  gained  something  of  moral  and  spiritual  strength  from 
association  with  those  who  had  been  so  fortunate. 

it  is  worth  noting  here,  probably,  that  the  Scotch-Irish 
are  really  Scotch.  "The  Scotch-Irish  are  the  people  who 
came  through  Ireland  to  America."  Dr.  Quigg  has  ex- 
plained. "The  phrase  'Scotch-Irish'  is  unknown  in  Ire- 
lanrl,  Canada  or  Australia  and  is  peculiar  to  the  United 
States."  The  Rev.  Dr.  Hall,  of  New  York,  bore  this  tes- 
timony upon  the  question  of  the  identity  of  these  people : 
"I  have  sometimes  noticed  a  little  confusion  in  relation  to 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  649 

the  phrase  'Scotch-Irish,'  as  if  it  meant  that  Scotch  peo- 
pl    had  come  over  and  intermarried  with  the  nat.ve  Insh 
and  that  a  combination  of  the  two  races,  two  places,  two 
"a  o  ahties  had  taken  place.     That  is  by  no  means  the 
state  of  the  case.     On  the  contrary,  w.th  kmdly  good 
e  Ing  in  various  directions  the  Scotch  peop  e  kept  to 
the  Scotch  people,  and  thev  are  called  ScoteWr.s^,  frcnr 
pnrelv  local,  or  geographical  reasons,  a.Kl  <«'  «  °"  ^"J 
union  of  the  kind  I  have  alluded  to.     I  haven  t  the  1  as 
aoubt  that  their  being  in  Ireland,  and  n,  close  conta  t 
lith  the  native  people  of  that  land    ami  '  --'  --'- 
stances  there,  had  some  influence  m  the  developmg  of  the 
character,  in  the  broadening  of  the  sympathies,  m  the  ex- 
n  lins  of  the  range  of  thought  and  action  of  the  Scotch- 
ri.h  people;  but  they  are  Scotch  through  and  through 
hev  are  Scottish  out  and  out,  and  they  are  Ir.sh  because 
in  the  Providence  of  God  they  were  sent  for  some  ge„er 
ations  to  the  land  that  I  am  pernntted  to  speak  of  as  the 

land  of  my  birth." 

"In  the  countrv  districts."  (of  Ulster,)  says  Hama, 
"the  peasant  still'retains  the  Scotch  'bur'  in  his  speech ; 
devoutly  believes  in  the  doctrines  of  John  Calvin  and 
John  lOiox;  is  firmly  committed  against  everythmg  allied 
with  Poperv  or  Prelacy,  and  usually  emphatic  m  his 
claims  to  a' Scottish  and  his  disavowal  of  an  Insh  de- 

''Therc  can  be   no  question   of   what  the   Scotch-Irish 
achieved    in    the    struggle    for    American    Independence. 
Seven  of  the  first  Governors  of  the  thirteen  colonies  were 
;f   Scotch-Irish  blood,     l-ight  of  the  most  conspicuous 
generals  in  the  army  of  freedom  were  Scotch-Irish^    The 
Roval    Government    in    London    was    informed    by    the 
Ro'val  Governors  in  America  that  "the  Presbyterian  cler- 
gv  were  to  blame  for  bringing  about  the  Revolution.  Pat- 
rick Henrv  in  \lrginia ;  David  Caldwell.  Ephraim  Bre- 
vard   Alexander  Craighead  and  others  in  \orth  Caro- 
lina •  the  Rutledges  and  Tcnnanls  in  South  C  arolina  ;  Dut- 


650  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

field,  Wilson,  Thomas  Craighead  in  Pennsylvania ;  Smith, 
Rodgers  and  Livingston,  in  New  York;  the  Rev.  Dr. 
W'itherspoon,  in  New  Jersey,  who  challenged  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  to  do  its  duty  by  his  declaration  that  he 
would  infinitely  rather  that  his  grey  hairs  should  de- 
scend to  the  sepulchre  "by  the  hand  of  the  executioner 
than  desert  at  this  crisis  the  sacred  cause  of  my  country ;" 
all  these  illustrious  men  and  many  other  of  the  same 
blood  and  faith  arrayed  themselves  on  the  side  of  free- 
dom. "At  that  period,"  says  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bryson,  "no 
single  agency  in  the  country  had  such  tremendous  power 
as  the  pulpit.  The  ministry  were  universally  a  highly 
educated  class.  They  were  Calvinists  in  their  creed,  and 
they  had  learned  their  prnciples  of  liberty  from  the  Word 
of  God."  "He  that  will  not  honor  the  memory  and  re- 
spect the  influence  of  Calvin,,"  says  Bancroft,  "knows  but 
little  of  the  origin  of  American  independence."  "Calvin 
was  the  founder  of  the  greatest  of  republics,"  says  Dau- 
bigne.  At  the  time  of  the  American  Revolution  the 
Scotch-Irish  people  must  have  formed  near  one-third  of 
the  entire  population  of  the  colonies ;"  and  to  the  end  of 
the  struggle  they  fought  on  the  side  of  freedom,  sus- 
tained by  unfaltering  trust  in  God  and  cheered  on  to 
even  greater  sacrifices  by  brave-hearted  women  who  had 
brought  with  them  to  this  country  the  recollection  of  ter- 
rible tragedies  through  which  they  had  passed.  To  these 
quiet,  patient  sublime  sufferers,  Dr.  Bryson  pays  this  elo- 
quent tribute : 

"What  shall  be  said  of  the  women  of  the  Scotch-Irish 
blood  ?  Glorious  women  are  they.  They  suffered ;  they 
endured ;  they  toiled ;  they  struggled ;  they  encouraged ; 
they  prayed ;  they  comforted ;  they  were  wounded ;  they 
were  sabered ;  they  were  murdered ;  they  died  like  he- 
roes ;  they  were  faithful  to  their  sires,  their  husbands  and 
their  sons.  They  have  made  Scotch-Irishmen  the  best 
blood  in  the  world." 

It  was  the  custom  among  the  old-time  folk  to  attend 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  65 1 

church  for  an  intellectual,  as  well  as  a  religious  purpose, 
and  it  was  expected  that  the  attentive  hearer  would  be 
able  to  give  some  account  of  the  sermon.  Ian  ]\Iaclaren 
tells  about  a  very  good  woman  in  the  Church  at  Drum- 
tochty. 

"It  was  the  birthright  of  every  native  of  the  parish  to 
be  a  critic  and  certain  ones  were  allowed  to  be  experts 
in  special  departments — Lachlan  Campbell  in  doctrine 
and  Jamie  Soutar  in  logic — but  as  an  auld  round  prac- 
titioner Mrs.  jMacfadyen  had  a  solitary  reputation.  It 
rested  on  a  long  series  of  unreversed  judgments,  with 
felicitous  strokes  of  description  that  passed  into  the  lit- 
erary capital  of  the  Glen.  One  felt  it  was  genius,  and 
could  only  note  contributing  circumstances — an  eye  that 
took  in  the  preacher  from  the  crown  of  his  head  to  the 
sole  of  his  foot ;  an  almost  uncanny  insight  into  charac- 
ter ;  the  instinct  to  seize  on  every  scrap  of  evidence  ;  a 
memory  that  was  simply  an  automatic  register ;  an  un- 
failing sense  of  fitness ;  and  an  absolute  impartiality  re- 
garding subject. 

It  goes  without  saying  that  Mrs.  JMacfadyen  did  not 
take  nervous  little  notes  during  the  sermon — all  writing 
on  Sabbath,  in  kirk  or  outside,  was  strictly  forbidden  in 
Drumtochty — or  mark  her  Bible,  or  practice  any  other 
profane  device  of  feeble-minded  hearers.  It  did  not 
matter  how  elaborate  or  how  incoherent  a  sermon  might 
be,  it  could  not  confuse  our  critic. 

\\'hcn  John  Peddie,  of  Muirtown,  who  always  ap- 
]iroachcd  two  hours,  and  usually  had  to  leave  out  the 
last  head,  took  time  at  Drumtochty  Fast,  and  gave  it  full 
length,  his  famous  discourse  on  the  total  depravity  of  the 
human  race,  from  the  text :  "Arise,  shine,  for  thy  light 
is  come,"  it  may  be  admitted  that  the  Glen  wavered  in 
its  confidence.  Human  nature  has  limitations,  and  fail- 
ure would  have  been  no  discredit  to  Elspcth. 

"  'Thev  were  saying  at  the  Presbytery,"  P>urnbrae  re- 
ported. *that  it  hes  mair  than  seventy  heads,  countin' 
pints,  of  coorse,  and  a'  can  weel  believe  it.  Na.  na.  it's 
no  tae  be  expeck  it  that  Elspeth  cud  gie  them  a'  aifter 
ac  hearin'.' 

Jamie  Soutar  looked  in  to  set  his  mind  at  rest,  and  El- 
speth went  at  once  to  work. 


652 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


"  'Sit  doon,  Jamie,  for  it  canna  be  dune  in  a  meenut.' 

It  took  twenty-three  minutes  exactly,  for  Jamie 
watched  the  clock. 

"That's  the  laist,  maikin'  seeventy-four,  and  ye  may 
depend  on  every  ane  but  that  fourth  pint  under  the  sixth 
head.  Whether  it  was  the  'beginnin'  o'  faith'  or  'the  ori- 
o-in,,'  a'  canna  be  sure,  for  he  cleared  his  throat  at  the 
Time.'  " 

Peter  Bruce  stood  helplessly  at  the  Junction  next  Fri- 
day— Drumtochty  was  celebrating  Elspeth — and  the 
achievement  established  her  for  life.  Probationers,  who 
preached  in  the  vacancy  had  heard  rumors,  and  tried  to 
identify  their  judge,  with  the  disconcerting  result  that 
they  addressed  their  floweriest  passages  to  Mistress  Stir- 
ton,  who  was  the  stupidest  woman  in  the  Free  Kirk,  and 
had  once  stuck  in  the  "chief  end  of  man."  They  never 
suspected  the  sonsy,  motherly  woman,  two  pews  behind 
Donald  Menzies,  with  her  face  of  demure  interest  and 
general  air  of  country  simplicity.  It  was  as  well  for  the 
Probationers  that  they  had  not  caught  the  glint  of  those 
black,  beady  eyes." 

Elspeth  Macfadyen  was  a  type  of  the  women  of  the 
Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church.  Some  of  us 
have  known  them,  and  how  much  this  Church  is  indebted 
to  them  for  all  its  glorious  history. 

It  is  difficult  to  speak  of  the  Scotch-Irish  and  their 
achievements  in  terms  of  moderation ;  and  it  would  be 
vain  to  attempt  on  such  an  occasion  as  this  anything 
more  than  the  briefest  and  most  unsatisfactory  mention 
of  what  they  have  done  for  the  benefit  of  humanity  and 
to  the  glory  of  God.  They  were  strong  and  undismayed 
and  unconquerable  here  because,  here  as  there,  they  be- 
lieved that  resistance  to  tyrants  was  obedience  to  God. 
They  triumphed  in  America  because  they  had  suffered  in 
Scotland  and  Ireland.,,  suffered  as  few  other  people  had 
ever  suffered  for  Christ's  sake,  not  from  savage  tribes, 
as  they  suffered  in  this  country,  but  from  two  of  the  holy 
and  Apostolic  Churches  which  sought  to  make  converts 
to  Christianity  by  wheel  and  faggot  and  bloodshed  and 
confiscation  and  outrage,  rather  than  bv  the  ministry  of 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  653 

peace.  We  do  not  value  the  blessings  we  enjoy  because 
they  have  come  to  us  without  privation  or  discomfort  or 
struggle.  We  do  not  remember  the  martyrs,  we  forget 
that— 

"There  blows  no  rose  so  red, 

As  where  some  buried  Caesar  bled." 

and  lest  we  should  shock  the  susceptibilities  of  the  moral 
invertebrates  of  this  age,  we  pack  away  the  old  pictures 
in  the  attic  and  forget  the  testimony  of  the  fathers.  It 
is  well  that  we  should  remember  the  way  we  have  come 
into  our  present  beatitude  of  sweetness  and  light ;  through 
what  dark  caverns  the  road  hither  hath  run,  across  what 
raging  torrents,  around  what  bloody  angles,  through 
what  fierce  flames,  under  the  shadow  of  how  many 
crosses  and  over  the  graves  of  how  many  of  the  slain 
for  God's  sake ! 

To  no  one  of  these  countries — Holland,  France,  En- 
gland, Scotland  and  Ireland — was  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  America  so  largely  indebted  as  to  the  Xorth 
of  Ireland,  says  Craighead,  and  it  was  here  that  under 
Henry  \'III,  and  Edward  Vl,  and  Mary,  and  Charles  I, 
these  devoted  people  were  subjected  to  persecutions  at 
the  hands  of  the  Roman  Catholics  and  Episcopalians, 
which  chill  the  blood  with  horror  even  after  the  lapse  of 
nearly  three  hundred  years.  The  Presbyterians  would 
not-  conform  to  Prelacy  or  confess  to  Rome,  and  they 
were  pursued  with  a  fiendishness  of  cruelty  of  which  we 
cannot  now  conceive.  In  the  days  of  the  Irish  Rebel- 
lion and  up  to  the  death  of  Charles  I,  the  Presbyterians 
passed  through  the  very  fires  of  hell.  The  principle  ob- 
ject of  this  Rebellion,  which  was  planned  and  encouraged 
by  authority  was  the  destruction  of  Protestantism.  Or- 
ders were  given  to  "spare  neither  man,  woman  nor  child." 
An  universal  massacre  followed.  The  murdered  victims 
were  not  buried  in  many  places  and  pestilence  attended 
murder.      In   four  months  6,000  died  in  Coleraine ;   in 


654 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


Carrickfergus,  2,500;  in  Belfast  and  Alalone  and  Antrim 
about  6,000.  The  carnage  rivalled  that  of  St.  Bartholo- 
mew. In  a  small  part  of  Ulster  thirty  Protestant  minis- 
ters were  murdered  and  a  large  number  died  in  wretched- 
ness and  poverty."  In  this  war  of  extermination  the 
Episcopalians  suffered  more  severely  than  the  Presbyte- 
rians, and  after  this  persecution  was  over  the  Presbyte- 
rians who  survived  united  with  the  returning  refugees 
from  Scotland  in  re-establishing  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Ireland. 

The  two  great  enemies  of  the  Church  were  Popery 
and  Prelacy,  and  the  persecutions  by  the  Catholics  were 
only  equalled  in  atrocity  by  the  persecutions  by  the 
Episcopalians — ■ 

But  yet  at  length  out  of  them  all 
The  Lord  did  set  them  free. 

It  was  because  of  their  terrible  experiences  under  ec- 
clesiastical domination  that  the  Scotch-Irish  settlers  re- 
sisted every  attempt  at  religious  establishments  in  this 
country  and  maintained  that  the  mental  and  moral  free- 
dom of  its  people  depended  upon  the  complete  separation 
of  Church  and  State.  "From  their  entrance  into  this 
country,"  says  Dr.  Craighead,  "as  may  be  seen  by  their 
conduct  in  Virgina  and  New  York,  they  opposed  every- 
thing that  looked  like  a  union  of  Church  and  State,  or 
any  dependence  of  the  Church  on  the  arm  of  civil  power. 

In  the  long  contest  between  these  monarchical  gov- 
ernments and  their  subjects,  the  natural  and  constant 
allies  of  despotism  were  Romish  and  Episcopal  hier- 
archies. These  were  ever  the  most  dangerous,  as  well 
as  the  most  inveterate  enemies  of  the  Non-Conformists 
when  they  were  resisting  tyrants.  Presbyterians,  at  least, 
had  most  to  dread  from  Episcopal  Prelates  and  from 
them  they  suffered  most.  The  Episcopal  Church  was 
more  frequently  in  the  ascendant  and  had  much  the 
greater  influence  with  civil   rulers.     Hiis  influence  it  al- 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  655 

most  invariably  used  to  oppress  all  outside  of  its  com- 
munion." 

In  South  Carolina,  as  in  Ireland  and  Scotland,  the  Es- 
tablished Church  sought  to  dominate  not  only  the  poli- 
tical conduct  of  the  settlers  in  the  back  districts,  but  to 
exact  tithes  from  them  for  the  support  of  the  Establish- 
ment. "The  parish  was  the  basis  of  the  civil  as  well  as 
the  religious  organization  of  the  government,"  under 
which  the  Scotch-Irish  settlers  in  the  up-country  were 
expected  to  live.  The  liberty,  which  was  permitted  them, 
served  only  to  emhpasize  their  real  subjection  to  the 
Church;  a  condition  which,  it  might  have  been  expected, 
they  would  endure  only  so  long  as  resistance  was  im- 
possible. To  what  extent  the  proscription  of  these  peo- 
ple would  have  gone  is  somewhat  a  matter  of  opinion 
and  conjecture,  but  the  first  steps  that  were  taken  in  this 
colony  to  unite  the  civil  and  the  ecclesiastical  power 
were  not  reassuring  to  those  who  had  sought  freedom  of 
worship  in  this  New  World.  The  spirit  which  controlled 
the  Church  people  in  the  old  country  manifested  itself 
here  in  a  number  of  ways  and  in  none  more  clearly 
than  in  the  law  declaring  that  all  marriages  performed 
by  other  ministers  than  those  of  the  Established  Church 
were  null  and  void,  and  that  the  children  born  of  such 
marriages  were  illegitimate.  It  is  true  that  this  manifes- 
tation of  religious  prejudice  was  speedily  overcome,  and 
that  the  obnoxious  Act  was  repealed,  but  its  passage 
showed  to  what  extent  the  spirit  of  persecution  existed 
in  this  colony  in  the  beginning. 

In  the  "Ravencl  Records."  by  Henry  Edmund  Ravcn- 
el  of  the  Spartan1)urg  Rar,  it  is  said  that  within  the  space 
of  ten  years  preceding  December  31.,  1775.  something 
over  £164,000  were  advanced  from  the  public  treasury 
for  the  support  of  the  Church  in  this  colony.  "The  estate 
of  the  Episcopal  Church,  drawn  more  or  less  from  all  de- 
nominations by  law.  was  computed  in  1777  to  amount 
to   £330,000 ;   and   the    sum   paid   by   Dissenters   to   this 


656 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


Church  in  the  ten  years  previous  to  1775  was  stated  to 
be  more  than  £82,013  10  shilHngs.  The  whole  number 
of  the  Estabhshed  Churches  in  1777  was  twenty,  while 
those  of  the  Dissenters  were  seventy-nine  in  number, 
and  in  general  were  much  larger  than  the  others." 

The  Huguenots,  we  are  told  by  Edward  McCrady  in 
his  History  of  South  Carolina  Under  the  Royal  Govern- 
ment, had  no  disposition  to  quarrel  with  the  administra- 
tion of  the  Government,  nor  had  the  German  settlers 
on  the  Edisto,  or  the  Swiss  on  the  Savannah.  "But  the 
case  was  very  different  with  the  Scotch-Irish  Presby- 
terian who  was  now  coming  into  the  Province.  The 
Church  had  held  out  no  kindly  hand  to  him.  On  the 
contrary,  it  had  rewarded  his  zeal  and  heroism  in  the 
Protestant  cause  with  oppression  and  wrong.  It  had  not 
sheltered  him  as  a  refugee  as  it  had  the  Huguenot  in  the 
crypt  of  Canterbury  and  in  St.  Mary's  Chapel  of  St. 
Patrick's  Cathedral,  Dublin.  On  the  contrary,  it  had 
driven  him  from  his  home.  The  Huguenot  did  not  ob- 
ject to  a  liturgy ;  he  was  accustomed  to  use  one.  But 
this  the  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterian  could  not  endure,  for 
that  had  been  one  of  the  points  upon  which  Knox  had 
differed  with  the  English  Reformers.  He  had  left  Ire- 
land because  he  would  not  use  it ;  was  he  to  do  so  now  in 
the  wild  woods  of  Carolina?  Then  the  system  of  gov- 
ernment was  based  here,  as  it  had,  been  in  the  old  country 
which  he  had  left,  upon  the  Church  of  England.  He 
could  only  be  represented  in  the  Assembly  by  having  the 
lands  which  he  and  his  people  had  taken  up  made  into  a 
township  and  then  into  a  parish.  All  this  was  the  more 
distasteful  to  him  because  his  own  social  and  civil  sys- 
tem was  itself  based  upon  an  ecclesiastical  idea — a  church 
polity  of  its  own.  If  the  old  St.  Philip's  Church  was  a 
part  of  the  Constitution  of  South  Carolina  as  Westmin- 
ster Abbey  was  of  the  British  Constitution,  so  around  the 
old  'Waxhaw  Church'  in  Lancaster — the  first  church 
above    Orangeburg — was    formed    the    settlement    which 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  657 

gave  tone  and  thought  to  the  whole  upper  country  of  the 
State." 

Conditions  have  changed,  and,  thanks  to  the  Scotch- 
Irish  Presbyterians,  and  their  rehgious  congeners,  it  is 
hardly  possible  that  the  world  will  again  be  cursed  with 
Popery  and  Prelacy  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  the  martyrs. 
To  the  Presbyterians,  as  we  believe,  have  been  committed 
the  oracles  of  God ;  the  Church  which  has  come  down  in 
unbroken     line     from     ]^Ioses     to     Christ,     and     from 
the  Apostles  to  this  day.     Said  Bishop  Lightfoot,  of  Dur- 
ham, "the  most  learned  of  all  the  Bishops  of  the  Church 
of  England,"  in  his  essay  on  the  Epistle  to  the  Philip- 
pians    that,    "the    early    constitution    of    the    Apostolic 
Churches  of  the  first  century  was  not  that  of  a  single 
Bishop,   but   of   a   body   of   pastors    indifferently    styled 
Bishops  or  Presbyters,  and  that  it  was  not  until  the  very 
end  of  the  Apostolic  age  that  the  office  which  we  now 
call  Episcopacy  gradually  and  slowly  made  its  way  into 
Asia  Minor ;  that  Presbytery  was  not  a  later  growth  out 
of  Episcopacy,  but  that  Episcopacy  was  a  later  growth 
out  of  Presbytery.  .  .  .  These  were,  from  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Middle  Ages  down  to  the  Reformation,  large 
exceptions  from  the  principles  of  Episcopal  government, 
which  can  be  called  by  no  other  name  than  Presbyterian." 
In  essentials  the  great  Presbyterian  family  are  of  one 
mind.    There  are  differences  among  them  on  some  minor 
points      of      doctrine      or     practice      perhaps — on      the 
question    of    Psalmody    and    as    to    the    use    of    instru- 
mental   music    in    the    service    of    the     Church,     etc. ; 
but     on     the     fundamentals     of     their     faith,     though 
many    as   the   billows    they    are    one    as    the    sea.      Un- 
der the  Presbyterian  system  the  Church  is  regarded  as  a 
spiritual   commonwealth,   not  as  a  political   power.     Its 
theology  is  Augustinian,  as  elaborated  by  John  Calvin. 
-All  the  Reformed  Churches,  as  Dr.  Ouigg  has  explained, 
were  Calvinistic  in  creed.     "Each  movement  of  the  Re- 
formation, though  self-originated,  was  thoroughly  Cal- 
42 


658  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

vinistic,  simply  as  the  result  of  Bible  study.  The  Re- 
formed Church  was  Presbyterian.  The  French  Church 
as  much  as  the  Kirk  of  Scotland.  In  25  years  after  Cal- 
vin began  his  work  there  were  2,000  places  of  worship 
with  nearly  half  a  million  of  worshippers  in  France 
alone."  Ambrose  Willie  preached  to  a  congregation  of 
20,000  people  in  France  in  1556.  In  the  same  year  Peter 
Gabriel  spoke  to  tens  of  thousands.  'Tn  less  than  a  half 
a  century  this  system  had  gained  nearly  one-half  of 
France,  embracing  every  great  mind  in  the  land."  White- 
field  "was  called  the  Calvinistic  establisher  of  Method- 
ism." "Calvinism  and  Methodism  were,  for  a  time,  sy- 
nonymous terms,  and  the  Methodist  was  called  an- 
other sect  of  Presbyterians."  The  theology  of  the  Epis- 
copalians is  Calvinistic  in  some  measure,  and  before  his 
recent  death  Pope  Leo  XIII.  declared  that  the  events 
of  Providence  were  ordered  and  what  had  been  ordained 
would  come  to  pass. 

"John  Calvin's  emphasis  upon  God's  holiness,"  says 
the  Rev.  Dr.  McGiffert,  "made  his  followers  scrupulous- 
ly, even  censoriously  pure ;  his  emphasis  upon  God's  will 
made  them  stern  and  unyielding  in  the  performance  of 
what  they  believed  to  be  their  duty ;  his  emphasis  upon 
God's  majesty,  paradoxical  though  it  may  seem  at  first 
sight  promoted  in  no  small  degree  the  growth  of  civil 
and  religious  liberty,  for  it  dwarfed  all  mere  human  au- 
thority and  made  men  bold  to  withstand  the  unlawful 
encroachments  of  their  fellows.  Thus  Calvin  became  a 
mighty  force  in  the  world." 

Last  month  the  two  hundredth  anniversary  of  Jona- 
than Edwards's  birth  was  celebrated  at  Stockbridge, 
]\Ias.sachiVsetts,  with  imposing  services  and  in  many 
churches  throughout  the  country  the  most  eloquent  eu- 
logies were  paid  to  the  memory  and  achievements  of  this 
great  man.  "He  borrowed  the  essential  features  of  his 
theology  from  Calvin,  as  Calvin  had  borrowed  them  from 
Augustine  and  Augustine  had  borrowed  them  from  the 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  659 

Roman  law.  liui  to  their  interpretation  and  defense," 
says  Dr.  Lyman  Abbott,  "he  brought  a  mind  of  singular 
acuteness,  a  philosophical  scholarship  extraordinary  for 
his  time  if  not  for  any  time,  an  intellectual  courage  rarely 
equalled  and  never  surpassed  by  any  religious  teacher  in 
the  history  of  the  Church."'  In  the  opinion  of-  one  of  his 
commentators  he  that  would  understand  the  significance 
of  later  New  England  thought  must  make  Edwards  the 
first  object  of  his  study."  There  have  been  many  and 
wide  departures  in  New  England  from  the  stern  and 
unyielding  faith  taught  by  Jonathan  Edwards.  Univer- 
salism,  Unitarianism,  Alormonism,  Mary  Baker  G.  Eddy- 
ism  are  possibly  the  protests  of  wicked  and  froward 
generations  against  the  system  of  religion  represented  by 
this  uncompromising  interpreter  of  the  justice  and  ma- 
jesty of  the  -Vlmighty. 

The  meat  was  too  strong  for  the  so-called  "Reform- 
ers" who  had  neither  the  understanding  ear  nor  the 
applying  conscience.  It  is  claimed  that  the  Edwards' 
system  of  theology  "has  now  only  an  historical  exis- 
tence ;"  that  "no  minister  preaches  it ;  no  Church  believes 
it ;  no  theological  seminary  teaches  it,  except  with  modi- 
fications which  Edwards  would  have  rejected  with  indig- 
nant disdain."  However  that  may  be,  diligent  search 
would  fail  to  discover  an}-  improvement  in  the  theologv 
or  morals  of  present-day  believers.  If  the  preachers  of 
this  "outworn  creed.,"  as  it  is  called  by  the  ungodly, 
would  shock  society  and  the  clubs  of  our  day  and  time  by 
declaring  the  penalties  of  the  law^  for  its  violation  never- 
theless their  preaching  exercised  a  powerful  inffuence  in 
moulding  the  civilization  of  our  country. 

The  Calvinistic  system  was  made  for  men  of  sound  un- 
derstanding, not  for  the  mentally  infirm.  The  mastery 
of  the  text  books  of  the  Church — the  Catechism,  the 
Confession  and  the  Scriptures — required  a  particularly 
alert  intelligence.  There  is  no  modern  method  of  mne- 
monics that  compares  wMth  the  svstem  in  which  Presbv- 


66o  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

terians  of  earlier  generations  were  trained.  "The  first 
book  of  discipline  drawn  up  b}^  John  Knox  provided  that 
a  school  be  erected  in  every  parish  for  the  instruction  of 
youth  in  religion,  grammar  and  the  Latin  tongue,  and 
also  that  a  college  in  every  notable  town  should  be  estab- 
lished." In  these  schools  and  colleges  the  mental  and 
moral  faculties  were  thoroughly  educated,  and  this  in- 
struction was  supplemented  by  the  school  of  the  family 
and  the  school  of  the  Church. 

"God  did  from  all  eternity  of  His  sovereign  pleasure, 
and  by  the  most  wise  and  holy  counsel  of  His  own  will, 
unchangeably  ordain  all  things  that  come  to  pass.  God's 
decree  fixes  the  eternal  destiny  of  angels  and  men,  but 
on  principles  strictly  just  and  benevolent.  Good  angels 
are  predestinated  to  life,  evil  angels  to  destruction.  A 
part  of  our  apostate  race  are,  of  the  riches  of  God's 
grace  ,  predestinated  to  obtain  life  eternal  through  the 
mediation  of  Christ ;  while  the  rest  are,  for  their  sin,  pre- 
destinated most  justly,  as  all  might  have  been,  to  ever- 
lasting death." 

That  is  the  faith  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Presby- 
terian Church.  It  is  the  faith  in  which  the  prophets 
and  preachers  and  evangelists  and  martyrs  believed,  the 
faith  which  has  sustained  this  venerable  body  since  its 
organization  one  hundred  years  ago,  through  all  the  mu- 
tations of  time  and  against  all  the  enemies  who  have 
sought  to  sap  its  foundations  and  impeach  its  testimony. 
It  is  a  glorious  faith.  What  has  it  not  accomplished  for 
the  elevation  of  the  human  race,  for  the  inspiration  of  the 
living,  for  the  comfort  of  the  dying,  for  the  consolation 
of  the  bereaved !  Surely  we  are  compassed  about  by  a 
great  cloud  of  witnesses.  Who  are  they  that  join  in  the 
singing  of  the  Psalms,  "Lift  up  your  Heads,  O,  ye 
Gates,  that  the  King  of  Glory  may  come  in  ?"  Who  are 
they,  indeed,,  but  the  holy  men  of  God,  by  whose  labors 
have  we  been  brought  into  this  goodly  place?  What  a 
grand  company  it  is !    The  Boyces  and  Griers  and  Press- 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  66l 

lys  and  Hemphills  and  Youngs  and  Flennikens  and 
Brices  and  Sloans  and  Bonners  and  Millers  and  Gallo- 
ways, and  Hunters  and  McDonalds,  and  a  host  of  those 
to  whom  they  ministered  faithfully  here,  now  numbered 
together  among  the  saints  in  glory  everlasting.  What 
an  inheritance  we  have  who  live  after  them !  What  an 
inspiration  we  should  find  in  this  holy  place  and  in  such 
spiritual  company  for  loftier  conceptions  of  duty,  for 
deeper  consecration  to  higher  living! 


662  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

Associate  Reformed  Presbyterianisni 
and    Education. 

By  Rev.  E.  B.  Kennedy. 

The  history  of  education  in  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church  is  a  familiar  story.  It  has  been  told  many  times. 
It  has  been  told  with  a  love  that  was  blind  to  defects  and 
dififusive  in  praise.  It  has  been  told  with  well  intended 
criticism  that  magnified  imperfections  and  minified  ex- 
cellencies. It  has  been  told  by  the  statistician  who  saw 
the  small  corps  of  teachers,  the  short  roll  of  students, 
the  buildings  and  endowments,  but  saw  not  the  faith  and 
love  and  hope  that  breathed  and  thrilled  and  throbbed  in 
the  body  of  the  words  and  acts  of  the  fathers  and  sons 
of  the  church. 

He  is  the  wise  man  who  knows  his  weakness  as  well 
as  his  strength.  Let  our  history  be  faced  with  candor. 
Let  it  be  told  with  frankness.  We  love  our  institutions 
and  point  with  just  pride  to  their  successful  sons,  and 
say,  "These  are  our  products."  But  every  country  has 
produced  its  great  men.  Every  institution  may  point  to  its 
illustrious  names.  I  can  conceive  of  no  study  which,  sys- 
tematically and  persistently  pursued,  will  not  result  in  an 
educated  mind  and  a  strengthened  will.  "Great  men 
were  trained  in  the  schools  of  the  Greek  sophists  and 
Arabian  astrologers,  of  the  Jesuits  and  the  Jansenists. 
There  were  great  men  when  nothing  was  taught  but 
School  Divinity  on  Canon  Law ;  and  there  would  still 
be  great  men  if  nothing  were  taught  but  the  fooleries  of 
Spurzheim  and  Swedenborg."  It  has  been  justly  ob- 
served that  it  is  the  general  course  of  those  who  patron- 
ize an  abuse  to  attribute  to  it  every  good  which  exists  in 
spite  of  it,  and  to  take  it  for  granted  that  we  are  in- 
debted to  them  for  all  the  talent  which  they  have  not 
been  able  to  destroy.     It  does  not  comport  ill  with  love 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


663 


for  our  institutions  to  compare  them  with  others.  Let 
the  comparison  be  made.  Let  us  seek  the  truth.  Let 
the  pride  we  feel  in  reviewing  our  progress  be  tem- 
pered with  modesty.  It  has  been  remarked  that  an  in- 
dividual should  not  be  more  proud  of  his  knowledge, 
because  he  participates  in  the  universal  improvement, 
than  he  is  vain  of  his  speed,  because  he  is  flying  along 
with  the  earth  and  everything  upon  it,  at  the  rate  of 
seventy  thousand  miles  an  hour.  It  is  only  when  we  are 
going  forward  in  comparison  with  others  that  we  have 
ground  for  merited  pride. 

But  criticism,  even  that  criticism  which  would  rouse 
from  lethargy  and  stimulate  to  action,  sometimes  docs 
scant  justice  and  oftentimes  much  harm.  Criticism  is 
never  creative  itself,  nor  ever  conducive  to  the  creative 
spirit  in  others.  It  is  one  thing  to  find  fault,  it  is  another 
to  remedy.  Lulling  down  is  not  building  up. 
Some  things  things  ought  to  be  pulled  down.  But  the 
destructive  s])irit  is  less  noble,  and  is  less  in  demand, 
than  the  spirit  that  is  constructive.  An  institution  must 
not  be  charged  with  the  faults  of  the  age  or  circum- 
stances not  of  its  making.  The  college  may  say  to  the 
church  give  us  more  members  with  as  much  justness  as 
the  church  can  say  to  the  college  give  us  more  students. 
Truth  is,  no  college  has  been  more  ready  to  serve  its 
church,  no  church  has  been  more  loyal  to  its  college 
than  Erskine  College  has  been  ready  to  serve  the  As- 
sociate Reformed  Church,  than  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church  has  been  loyal  to  Erskine  College. 

Again,,  if  the  histor\-  of  rulers  and  of  battles  is  not 
the  true  history  of  a  nation,  no  more  is  that  the  true  his- 
tory of  education  in  the  Associate  Reformed  Church 
which  gives  facts  and  dates,  but  makes  no  mention  of 
the  discussions,  debates  and  resolutions  of  the  Synod 
relative  to  this  work.  That  is  not  an  adequate  history 
of  Erskine  College,  the  center  of  the  church's  education- 
al work,  which  fails  to  give  an  account  of  the  scholar- 


664  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

ship  and  anecdotal  side  of  the  presidents  and  professors, 
of  the  students'  troubles  and  festivals,  of  the  junior 
exhibitions,  society  celebrations,  and  commencement  days. 
Obviously  then,  I  do  not  purpose  to  give  a  full  history 
and  it  will  be  evident  I  have  not  given  a  justly  propor- 
tioned history,  of  the  educational  work  of  our  church. 

BEFORE   1803. 

One  hundred  years  ago,  scattered  over  the  Carolinas 
and  Georgia  for  the  most  part,  were  some  nineteen  hun- 
dred Associate  Reformed  Presbyterians.  They  had  in- 
herited from  Scotland  and  Ireland  a  high  standard  of  re- 
quirement for  the  Christian  ministry.  A  candidate  for 
ordination  to  this  office  must  have  received  a  thorough 
classical  training  at  some  college  and  have  pursued  a 
theological  course  of  study  either  at  college,  or  under  the 
direction  of  some  minister.  The  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  of  which  these  nineteen  hundred  were  only  a 
part,  had  established  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  Pa.,  in 
1783.  Here  most  of  the  candidates  for  the  ministry  in  the 
Associate  Reformed  Church,  for  the  first  fifteen  years 
after  its  organization,  received  both  their  literary  and 
theological  training.  As  early  as  1796  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church  discussed  the  founding  of  a  theological 
seminary.  In  1801  the  Rev.  John  M.  Mason  was  sent  to 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland  to  solicit  donations  for  a  sem- 
inary and  authorized  to  purchase  with  the  funds  collected 
books  for  the  library.  After  fifteen  months  he  returned, 
having  collected  about  five  thousand  dollars,  the  most 
of  which  was  spent  for  the  library.  In  1804  the  Rev.  John 
Mason,  one  of  the  ablest  men  and  foremost  preacher  of 
America,  was  chosen  Professor  of  Divinity,  and  the  city 
of  New  York  fixed  as  the  place  for  the  seminary.  This 
was  the  second  theological  seminary  established  in 
America.  Twelve  years  before  the  Associate  Presbytery 
had  established  the  first  in  Beaver  County,  Pa. 

After   the    Svnods   of    Scioto   and   the   Carolinas   had 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  665 

withdrawn  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Associate 
Reformed  Chitrcli,  a  portion  of  the  remaining  part  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  managed  to  consoH- 
date  the  theological  seminary  at  New  York  with  that  at 
Princeton  and  transfer  the  library  from  the  former  to  the 
latter  place.  At  the  suggestion  of  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Synod  of  the  South  delegates  from  the  Synod  of 
the  South,  the  West,  and  New  York  met  in  convention 
to  take  steps  to  recover  this  library  and  re-establish  the 
seminary.  After  long  years  of  litigation  the  library  was 
restored  to  the  Synod  of  New  York. 

ORIGIN   OF   COLLEGE  AND   SEMINARY. 

But  while  it  is  interesting  to  note  the  active  part  our 
fathers  took  in  the  early  educational  work  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Church,  our  chief  interest  lies  in  the  work 
done  among  the  people  of  our  Synod  since  its  organiza- 
tion in  1803.  To  meet  the  requirements  for  the  ministry 
in  the  early  days  of  the  Synod,  our  young  men  were  de- 
pendent on  the  old  field  schools,  few,  inefficient  and  of 
uncertain  continuance,  on  the  very  few  academies,  and 
on  the  still  fewer  colleges. 

In  a  paper  read  before  the  State  Teacher's  Association, 
at  Spartanburg  in  1894,  Prof.  Morrison  of  Clemson  Col- 
lege quotes  from  various  sources  showing  that  the  educa- 
tional condition  of  the  South  in  the  last  quarter  of  the 
eighteenth  century  and  the  first  quarter  of  the  nineteenth 
century  was  primitive  and  pathetic.  General  McCrady, 
who  gives  the  most  favorable  account  of  colonial  educa- 
tion in  South  Carolina,  can  enumerate  only  twenty-two 
scholars  of  all  kinds  in  the  entire  State  at  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  War.  An  eye  witness  of  a  scene  on  Sul- 
livan's Island  the  day  after  the  battle  of  Fort  Sumter 
writes :  "And  indeed  to  see  the  looks  of  our  poor  sol- 
diers, when  those  great  ladies,  all  glittering  in  silks  and 
jewels,  and  powdered  and  perfumed  so  nice,  would  come 
up  to  them,  in   faces  like  angels,  sparkling  and  smiling 


666  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

so  sweet,  as  if  they  would  kiss  them ;  I  say  to  see  the 
looks  of  our  poor  fellows,  their  awkward  bows  and  broad 
grins,  and  other  droll  capers  they  cut,  no  human  being- 
could  have  refrained  from  laughing."  When  Gov.  Rut- 
ledge  presented  his  sword  to  Sergeant  Jasper  and  offered 
him  a  commission,  the  gallant  officer  replied :  "I  am 
greatly  obliged  to  you,  Governor,  but  I  had  rather  not 
have  a  commission.  As  I  am,  I  pass  very  well  with  such 
company  as  a  poor  sergeant  has  any  right  to  keep.  If  I 
were  to  get  a  commission,  I  would  be  forced  to  keep 
higher  company ;  and  then,  as  I  don't  know  how  to  read, 
I  should  only  be  throwing  myself  in  a  way  to  be  laughed 
at."  Ex-Governor  Perry  in  an  address  delivered  in  1878 
said :  "Thirty  years  ago  I  rode  all  through  the  counties 
of  Oconee,  Pickens,  Anderson,  Abbeville,  and  Greenville, 
taking  the  testimony  of  very  aged  witnesses  in  a  great 
law  suit  then  pending  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  involving 
several  hundred  thousand  dollars  and  the  legitimacy  of 
a  highly  respectable  family  of  young  ladies.  The  wit- 
nesses who  appeared  before  me  were  mostly  born  before 
or  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  I  was  greatly  sur- 
prised and  not  a  little  shocked  to  find  that  almost  all  of 
the  old  ladies  examined  were  unable  to  write  their  names, 
and  had  to  make  their  marks  to  their  depositions.  Thev 
were  in  good  circumstances  and  mothers  of  prominent 
men  in  their  counties." 

Such  being  the  condition  of  education  among  the 
masses,  the  minister  as  a  "finished  classical  scholar  and 
thorough  theologian"  was  not  inappropriately  called  the 
parson,  being  easily  chief  person.  At  the  beginning  of 
the  last  century  the  public  school  system  had  not  been 
established  in  the  territory  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  and  we  may  believe  that  the  first  educational 
work  done  by  the  fathers  of  the  church  was  d'onc  in 
maintaining  schools   for  elementary   instruction. 

Among  the  very  few  academics  of  that  time  were  those 
of  Rev.  James  Rogers,  at  Monticello,  Fairfield  County, 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  667 

S.  C,  and  of  Eleazer  Harris  in  York  County,  S.  C. 
While  the  former  was  not  controlled  by  the  church,  it 
was  presided  over  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century 
by  an  Associate  Reformed  minister  and  largely  patron- 
ized by  Associate  Reformed  people.  The  latter,  known 
as  Ebenezer  Academy,  was  taken  under  the  care  of  the 
Synod  in  1825.  Both  of  these  were  established  in  the 
early  part  of  the  century.  Perhaps  there  were  other 
schools  which  are  justly  entitled  to  be  mentioned,  but  I 
have  no  record  of  them. 

Out  of  the  need  of  education  among  all  classes,  and 
especially  out  of  the  need  of  those  who  expected  to  enter 
the  ministry,  was  born  the  church's  desire  and  purpose 
to  establish  educational  work  of  its  own.  This  need,  al- 
ready deeply  felt,  was  emphasized  by  two  things,  the 
growing  political  animosity  between  the  North  and  the 
South,  and  the  pronounced  infidelity  of  Dr.  Cooper, 
President  of  the  South  Carolina  College.  We  had  no 
college  of  our  own.  Our  young  men  having  the  ministry 
in  view  had  been  attending  Northern  institutions,  prin- 
cipally Jefferson  College  and  Miami  University.  But 
bitterness  had  increased  to  such  degree  between  the  two 
sections  of  country  that  in  1834  the  Synod  declared  in  a 
resolution,  "  that  in  their  opinion  it  is  prejudicial  to  the 
Southern  church  to  send  our  young  men  to  the  North  or 
West,  either  to  college  or  to  a  theological  seminary." 

Thus  shut  off  from  the  North  many  of  our  people 
looked  to  the  South  Carolina  College.  But  here  trouble 
of  another  kind  existed.  Thomas  Cooper,  whom  Jeffer- 
son thought  "the  greatest  man  in  America  in  the  powers 
of  jiis  mind  and  in  acquired  information,  and  that  with- 
out a  single  exception,"  but  whom  John  Adams  regarded 
as  "a  learned,  ingenuous,  scientific  and  talented  mad- 
'man,"  became  Professor  of  Chemistry  in  the  Stnith  Caro- 
lina College  in  1810.  and  a  year  later  the  President  of  this 
institution.  Born  in  London,  for  a  short  time  a  resident 
of    Paris   and   congenial    associate   of   the   Revolutionarv 


668  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

spirits  there,  Cooper  came  to  America  and  settled  in 
Pennsylvania.  For  many  acts  of  petty  tyranny,  brow- 
beating counsel,  witnesses,  and  parties  to  a  suit,  he  was 
impeached  by  the  Senate  of  Pennsylvania  and  removed 
from  the  office  of  Judge.  For  a  violent  attack  made  on 
President  Adams  in  the  press  he  was  fined  four  hun- 
dred dollars  and  imprisoned  six  months.  This  restless 
and  disagreeable  man,  in  private  conversation,  classroom 
lecture,  and  pamphlet,  attacked  the  authenticity  and 
genuineness  of  the  Scriptures.  He  hated  the  clergy 
venomously,  and  in  his  report  to  the  legislature  in  1822 
charged  that  "the  most  powerful  obstacle  to  the  prosper- 
ity of  this  institution  is  the  systematic  hostility  of  the 
clergy  generally,  to  every  seminary  of  education  which 
is  not  placed  under  their  government  and  control."  The 
Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South  at  its  next  meet- 
ing prepared  and  ordered  to  be  published  in  one  of  the 
papers  of  the  State  an  address  denying  the  charge  and 
appealing  from  the  "illiberal,  unrighteous  and  sweeping 
charge  of  the  learned  president  against  the  ministers  of 
reconciliation,  to  the  candor  and  good  sense  of  the 
Christian  commonwealth."  Pres.  Cooper  continued 
covertly  and  openly  to  attack  the  Bible,  and  the  Christian 
people  did  not  cease  to  oppose  President  Cooper  from  the 
time  of  his  installation.  In  1831  John  P.  Pressly,  a 
graduate  of  the  South  Carolina  College,  and  afterwards 
an  A.  R.  P.  minister,  introduced  in  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives the  following:  "Resolved,  that  in  the  opinion 
of  this  house  it  is  expedient  that  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  the  South  Carolina  College  do  forthwith  investigate 
the  conduct  of  Dr.  Cooper,  as  President  of  the  South 
Carolina  College,  and  if  they  find  that  his  continuance  in 
office  defeats  the  ends  and  aims  of  the  institution,  that 
they  be  requested  to  remove  him."  The  board  found 
nothing  against  the  presiflent.  The  historian  of  the  col- 
lege says  the  board  made  the  exculpating  report  through 
sympathy  for  the  old  gentleman.     The  cry  of  "reorgani- 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  669 

zation!  revolution!-  which  had  been  raised  from  the 
mountains  to  the  seaboard  was  now  heard  louder  than 
ever.  Dr.  Cooper  gave  up  the  presidency,  but  retauied  a 
position  as  teacher.  F3ut  even  this  did  not  satisfy  the 
people,  and  in  1834  he  severed  his  connection  with  the 
college.  The  college  suffered  seriously  in  the  loss  of  stu- 
dents' and  of  public  favor  on  account  of  Dr.  Cooper's  m- 
fidclity.  Ever  since  the  college  authorities  have  been 
careful  to  avoid  any  irreligious  tendency,  and  have  been 
stricter  than  most  State  institutions  and  man>-  denomma- 
tional  ones  in  having  religious  exercises  and  in  requir- 
ing attendance  on  public  worship.  Dr.  Lathan  credits 
the  Associate  Reformed  people  for  being  among  the  f^rst, 
if  not  the  first,  to  raise  the  alarm  and  start  the  opposition 
to  Dr.  Cooper. 

The  need  of  education  among  our  people,  and  the  few 
facilities  for  supplying  the  need,  offered  the  invitation 
and  imposed  the  necessity  for  some  kind  of  educational 
work  by  the  church.  The  sectional  difference  made  the 
church  feel  more  than  ever  thrown  upon  its  own  re- 
sources. The  trouble  in  the  South  Carolina  College  sug- 
gested the  possibility  and  fear  of  a  similar  recurrence  and 
Tmpressed  the  importance  of  a  college  which  would  pro- 
vide helpful  religious  influences  as  well  as  guard  against 
harmful  ones. 

Such  were  the  causes  which  led  to  the  founding  of 
Erskine  College  in  1839.  It  was  the  first  denominational 
college  in  the  State,  and  perhaps  the  first  in  the  whole 
South.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  charter  was  at 
first  refused  by  the  legislature,  and  not  granted  until 
1850.  although  active  efforts  were  made  to  secure  it. 
The  opposition  to  the  granting  of  a  charter  came  from 
the  friends  of  the  South  Carolina  College,  who  wished 
that  the  latter  institution  might  be  paronized  by  all  parts 
of  the  State  and  thus  become  the  means  of  uniting  the 
different  sections.  The  friends  of  Erskine  believed  that 
the  way  to  get  right  with  men  is  to  get  right  with  God. 


670  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

The  Synod  believed  then  and  the  Synod  beheves  now, 
that  there  is  a  vast  difference  between  universities  in 
which  reho-ion  is  offered  as  an  optional  study,  and  col- 
leges in  which  it  is  the  chief  cornerstone  and  crown. 

SUCCESSIVE    STEPS. 

If  we  except  the  classical  schools  established  in  the 
early  part  of  the  century,  such  as  Ebenezer  Academy  in 
York  County,  and  James  Rogers'  school  in  Fairfield 
County,  the  first  step  taken  by  the  Synod  in  edu- 
cational work  was  at  its  meeting  in  1825.  Then  the 
synod  established  a  theblogical  seminary  by  electing 
Rev.  John  Hemphill  professor  of  didactic  and  polemic 
theology,  and  Rev.  John  T.  Pressly  professor  of  orien- 
tal languages,  Biblical  criticism,  and  church  history. 
Without  buildings,  without  library,  without  salary,  these 
men,  living  one  hundred  miles  apart  and  doing  regular 
pastoral  work,  performed  the  duties  of  teachers  assigned 
them  until  Mr  Hemphill,  burdened  with  age  and  infirm- 
ity, resigned  in  1827,  and  Dr  Pressly  removed  to  Pitts- 
burg in  1 83 1.  In  the  meatime,  efforts  were  made  to 
collect  funds  and  a  library  for  the  seminary.  While  the 
seminary  and  the  college  as  now  constituted  have  sepa- 
rate funds,  separate  boards,  and  separate  faculties,  the 
two  are  one,  one  in  purpose  and  one  in  history.  It  is 
not  a  change  to  a  different  subject  when  we  note  the  next 
step  of  the  Synod  in  1834  as  an  effort  to  establish  one  or 
more  schools  on  the  manual  labor  system.  At  the  next 
meeting  of  Synod  in  1835  this  purpose  was  abandoned  as 
impracticable  or  undesirable.  But  in  a  series  of  resolu- 
tions adopted  at  the  same  time  on  the  =ubject  of  educa- 
tion, agents  were  appointed  to  collect  and  treasurers  to 
manage  funds  to  assist  in  the  education  of  young  men 
having  the  ministry  in  view.  It  was  resolved  to  establish 
a  school  at  Due  West  Corner,  Abbeville  district,  S.  C, 
with  John  S.  Pressly  as  teacher.  Seven  thousand  and 
thirty-five  dollars  were  collected,  a  building  was  erected, 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  67 1 

and  the  school  opened  the  first  Monday  in  February. 
1836,  with  twenty  classical  scholars.  The  school  was 
called  the  Academy  at  Due  West  Corner.  The  next  year  it 
was  incorporated  as  Clark  and  Erskine  Seminary.  Rev. 
Samuel  P.  IMcCracken  of  Miami  University,  having  de- 
clined to  accept  the  position  of  Professor  of  Divinity  to 
which  he  was  elected  in  i836,Dr.E.E.Pressly  was  elected 
to  fill  this  place  in  1837.  In  1839  John  S.  Pressly 
resigned  as  teacher  of  Clark  and  Erskine  Seminary.  The 
Synod  in  this  year  changed  the  name  to  Erskine  College 
and  enlarged  the  list  of  faculty  and  the  course  of  study. 
The  first  faculty  was :  Rev.  E.  E.  Pressly,  President 
and  Professor  of  Moral  Science;  Neil  M.  Gordon,  Pro- 
fessor of  Languages,  pro  tern;  and  John  N.  Young, 
Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy,  pro 
tern.  By  1843  ^  "^^^'  building  had  been  erected  at  a 
cost  of  seven  thousand  and  ninety  dollars. 

FINANCES. 

For  the  first  years  of  its  history  the  college  was  sup- 
ported by  tuition  fees  and  occasional  donations  and  be- 
quests. In  1853  a  movement  was  begun  to  raise  an  en- 
dowment. A  fund  of  $50,000  was  raised  which  was 
afterward  increased  to  $70,000.  The  flourishing  college 
had  closed  its  doors  early  in  the  war,  but  resumed  work 
again  in  1865.  All  but  thirteen  or  fifteen  thousand  dol- 
lars of  its  endowment  had  been  swept  away.  The  young 
men  had  been  scattered,  impoverished,  slain,  the  college 
had  a  struggle  to  live.  In  1867  a  successful  effort  was 
made  to  secure  two  hundred  men  who  would  give  twentv 
dollars  each  for  five  years  in  return  for  a  scholarship  for 
each  twenty  dollars.  Again  in  1871  the  Synod  resolved 
to  raise  an  endowment  of  $100,000.  By  tlie  sale  of 
sciiolarships.  which  were  to  expire  in  1895.  donations 
and  bequests,  about  $80,000  were  raised.  , 

At  the  semi-centennial  celebration  of  Erskine  in  1889 
an  honored  son  of  the  college  arose  in  the  alumni  meet- 


6/2 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


ing  and  proposed  that  we  give  our  mother  a  new  dress. 
She  had  worn  the  old  since  1843.  The  suggestion  fell 
on  an  atmosphere  already  electric.  The  movement  then 
started  was  accelerated  by  the  burning  of  the  old  build- 
ing in  1892.  At  this  time  some  advocated  the  removal 
of  the  college  to  another  place,  on  the  ground  of  better 
advertisement  and  larger  patronage.  Discussion  and  de- 
bate waxed  warm.  When  it  was  settled  that  the  insti- 
tution should  remain  at  Due  West,  advocates  and  op- 
ponents united  hearts  and  hands  to  build  a  bigger  and 
better  college.  The  present  spacious  college  building, 
the  College  Home  for  boys,  and  Wylie  Home  for  girls, 
stand  as  monuments  to  the  zeal  and  liberality  of  some 
who  were  untiring  in  their  efforts  and  generous  in  their 
gifts. 

At  its  meeting  in  1902  the  Synod  resolved  to  raise  a 
Twentieth  Century  educational  fund  of  $50,000  in  the 
next  five  years,  one  half  for  Erskine  College,  one 
fourth  for  educational  work  in  connection  with  foreign 
missions,  and  one  fourth  for  the  Due  West  Female  Col- 
lege, provided  that  this  institution  was  placed  under  the 
control  and  became  the  property  of  the  Synod.  The 
canvass  is  being  successfully  prosecuted,  and  about  one- 
half  of  the  amount  has  been  raised.  At  various  times 
donations  and  bequests  have  been  made  to  college  and 
seminary  by  persons  whose  names  are  household  words 
in  the  Synod.  With  the  college  endowment  $88,803.13 
the  Theological  Seminary  endowment  of  $55,756.88, 
college  buildings  of  not  less  value  than  $73,000,  the 
Synod  has  for  educational  work  a  plant  of  about  $220,- 
000,  besides  adequate  libraries  and  a  fine  laboratory. 

INNER  GROWTH. 

The  inner  growth  of  the  college  has  kept  pace  with 
its  outer  development.  The  improved  exterior  appear- 
ance is  an  index  of  a  new  spirit  infused  into  it.  In  1893 
the  Chair  of  English  Literature  and  Language  was  added 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  673 

to  the  curriculum.  This  was  a  tardy  recognition  of  the 
value  of  the  study  of  a  Hterature  "wider  in  its  scope, 
sounder  in  its  philosophy,  purer  in  its  morals,  and  im- 
measurably richer  and  more  extensive  than  the  frag- 
ments of  all  the  dead  tongues  that  remain  in  the  world." 
Of  a  language,  in  force  and  copiousness,  second  to  that  of 
Greece  alone.  My  partiality  for  this  department  of 
study  and  my  consequent  familiarity  with  the  efficiency 
with  which  it  is  conducted  in  Erskine  will  permit  me  to 
say  of  it,  without  seeming  to  fail  in  the  least  to  give  due 
credit  to  the  thoroughness  of  the  work  done  in  the 
other  departments,  that  I  would  rather  have  the  instruc- 
tion given  the  English  course  in  Erskine  than  that  given 
in  the  same  course  in  any  other  college  in  the  State. 

The  establishment  of  the  Chair  of  English  was  fol- 
lowed by  an  enlarged  course  in  the  natural  science  and 
the  arrangement  of  studies  leading  to  the  B.  S.  degree. 
Education  which  had  so  long  been  hellenized  and  ro- 
manized  was  invigorated  with  new  life.  Some  appre- 
hended a  loss  of  patrician  flavor  in  the  plebian  touch 
of  the  laboratory.  It  was  the  old  and  oft  debated  ques- 
tion of  the  classics  as  against  science.  The  question 
has  been  wisely  and  satisfactorily  settled  by  leaving  it 
to  each  student  to  settle  for  himself.  The  studies 
changed  were  less  significant  than  the  spirit  of  the 
change.  It  was  the  triumph  of  a  protest  older  than 
Milton,  who  two  centuries  ago  contended  for  an  educa- 
tion which  should  be  natural  in  method  and  useful  and 
noble  in  results.  He  advocated  beginning"  with  things 
concrete  and  near  and  proceeding  to  those  abstract  and 
remote.  He  protested  against  debasing  noble  literatures 
to  the  making  of  grammarians  and  philogians.  "Though 
a  linguist  should  pride  himself  to  have  all  the  tongues 
that  Babel  cleft  the  world  into,  yet,  if  he  have  not 
studied  the  solid  things  in  them  as  w'ell  as  the  words 
and  lexicons,  he  were  nothing  so  much  to  be  esteemed 
a  learned  man  as  any  yeoman  or  tradesman  competently 
43 


674  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

wise  in  his  mother  (Halect  only."  While  Milton's  first 
two  ideas  of  education  condemned  in  a  manner  the  study 
of  the  classics,  his  third  idea  of  nobleness  condemns 
no  less  what  seems  to  have  come  in  with  the  study  of 
the  sciences.  In  the  opinion  of  Phillips  Brooks,  there  "is 
a  decay  of  nobleness,  a  certain  prosaical  minuteness,  a 
certain  sordidness,  a  certain  dry  economy  in  our  day, 
when  the  highest  culture  is  distrustful  of  enthusiasm, 
when  eloquence  is  not  in  favor  in  our  schools,  when  the 
average  teacher  is  more  afraid  of  exuberance  than  of 
dryness  in  his  pupil." 

The  classics  have  a  higher  value  in  ministering  to  this 
nobleness  than  science  has.  But  higher  than  the  clas- 
sics and  science  together  is  the  value  of  what  is  called 
Christian  education.  Among  the  marked  changes  of  re- 
cent years  is  the  increased  attention  given  to  the  study 
of  the  English  Bible  in  both  the  College  and  the  Sem- 
inary. The  Scriptures  either  with  regard  to  the  prin- 
ciples they  teach,  the  lives  they  record,  the  spirit  they 
breathe,  or  the  language  in  which  all  is  clothed,  stand 
alone  amidst  all  literatures,  sacred  or  profane,  ancient  or 
modern,  for  instruction  in  noble  principles  and  inspira- 
tion to  noble  life. 

Chancellor  MacCracken,  of  New  York  University, 
said  recently :  'T  wish  we  could  require  from  every 
freshman  a  Sabbath  School  diploma  that  would  certify 
he  knew  by  heart  the  Ten  Commandments,  the  Sermon 
on  the  Mount,  a  church  catechism  of  some  kind,  and  a 
score  of  the  Scripture  Psalms  and  best  classic  hymns. 
This  university  will  join  any  association  of  universities 
and  colleges  that  will  demand  this  as  an  entrance  re- 
quirement. So  much  as  in  us  lies,  we  will  make  the  col- 
lege a  place  for  preserving  and  strengthening  reverence 
for  things  divine."  Dr.  Oilman,  for  twenty-five  years 
President  of  Johns  Hopkins  University,  now  savs  that 
"for  literary,  historical,  rhetorical,  and  moral  reasons 
the  Bible  ought  to  be  useful  in  schools  of  every  grade, 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  675 

public  and  private."  Greece  had  her  temples,  Rome  had 
her  tables,  but  Christian  States,  partly  through  unwar- 
ranted assumptions  of  students'  previous  familiarity, 
neglect  the  study  of  Christian  literature  and  Christian 
institutions.  Yet  the  church  has  its  names  as  prominent 
and  potent  in  shaping  the  destinies  of  nations  and  in- 
dividuals, its  martyrs  as  numerous  and  true,  its  councils 
as  eventful,  its  thoughts  as  original,  its  feelings  as  deep 
and  pure,  as  any  nation  or  any  literature  on  earth. 
It  rears  its  structure  in  every  community.  It  perme- 
ates society  and  legislation.  I  believe  its  study  is 
more  profitable  than  knowledge  of  the  details  of 
a  defunct  and  mummied  civilization,  too  remote  for 
idiosyncrasies  to  be  distinguished  from  essentials. 
Rufus  Choate  advises  his  law  students  to  study  theology 
for  the  mental  discipline,  and  those  who  have  threaded 
their  way  through  theological  subtleties  will  not  dispute 
the  wisdom  of  the  learned  jurist's  advice. 

OTHER  SCHOOLS. 

\\'ilh  the  addition  of  another  full  professorship  in  the 
seminary,  the  reorganization  of  the  Preparatory  Depart- 
ment, the  establishment  of  Presbyterial  schools  at  White 
Oak,  Ga.,  Troy  and  Bethany,  S.  C,  IMission  schools  in 
Mexico,  and  a  school  at  the  orphanage,  the  church  is 
more  actively  and  largely  engaged  in  educational  work 
than  ever  before  in  its  history.  The  purpose  of  the  mis- 
sion schools  reminds  us  of  the  purpose  of  the  founders 
of  Erskine  College. 

If  it  is  proper  to  make  a  record  of  James  Rogers' 
school  in  the  early  ])art  of  the  past  century,  it  is  proper 
to  mention  the  lluntersville  High  School  which  for  a 
number  of  years  was  in  a  flourishing  condition  under 
Rev.  W.  W.  (  )rr,  and  gave  to  the  college  and  the  church 
some  of  our  best  men.  Perhaps  there  are  still  other 
schools,  as  Jones'  Seminary  for  young  ladies  at  All 
Healing.    X.    C..    which    ought    to   be    mentioned. 


676  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


DUE   WEST   FEMALE   COLLEGE. 

One  other  school  must  be  mentioned.  It  has  stood  for 
nearly  half  a  century,  side  by  side  with  Erskine  College, 
under  the  shadow  of  one  of  the  principal  churches  of 
the  denomination,  singing  the  church's  songs,  teaching 
the  church's  daughters.  It  does  not  receive  the  church's 
money,  it  is  not  controlled  by  the  church's  boards,  it  is 
called  undenominational,  but  however  labeled,  in  warp 
and  woof,  in  fibre  and  in  dye,  it  is  Associate  Reformed 
Presbyterian  if  Erskine  College  is  Associate  Reformed 
Presbyterian.  Its  presidents  have  been  servants  of  the 
church,  loyal  and  faithful,  and  the  church  would  be 
poorer  by  far  today  if  the  Due  West  Female  College 
had  never  existed.  The  Synod  now  has  under  considera- 
tion the  purchase  of  the  property  and  control  of  the  in- 
stitution. The  reason  the  church  has  never  aided  this 
college  is  not  because  of  the  Salic  law  which  so  long 
denied  or  ignored  woman's  right  to  knowledge,  but  be- 
cause the  college  has  prospered  so  well  without  that  aid. 

PRINCIPLES  OF  EDUCATION. 

Let  me  recur  to  the  principles  in  education  for  which 
the  church  has  stood.  We  have  all  experienced  the  pur- 
pose and  enthusiasm  with  which  we  have  begun  a  day, 
or  task,  or  profession.  And  we  have  all  felt  that  purpose 
weaken  and  that  enthusiasm  subside  in  the  progress  of 
our  work,  as  we  have  felt  the  throb  of  the  engine  when 
the  ship  starts  but  have  not  felt  it  when  the  ship  was 
well  under  way  at  sea.  Erskine  has  stood  for  a  liberal 
and  a  Christian  education.  There  never  was  more 
need  than  to-day  for  the  church  to  stand  for  such  educa- 
tion, and  to  stand  firm.  We  pride  ourselves  on 
having  never  asked  what  was  popular  and  expedient, 
but  what  is  true  and  right.  The  spirit  that  animated  the 
six   hundred   ministers   in   the   cradle   of   our  historv   to 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  677 

lose  their  living  rather  than  their  principles,  the  spirit 
that  strengthened  twenty  thousand  Preshvterians  to  lose 
their  lives  rather  than  violate  their  conscience,  the  spirit 
that  fired  the  hearts  of  the  Scottish  soldiers  to  raise  the 
bonny  blue  flag,  bearing  the  legend,  "For  Christ's  Crown 
and  Covenant,"  the  spirit  that  has  prompted  the  Reform- 
ers, the  Associates  and  the  Associate  Reformed  people, 
to  stand  for  the  right  even  if  they  have  to  stand  alone, 
is  the  spirit  that  has  prevailed  in  all  the  history  of  edu- 
cation in  our  church.  To-day  it  combats  the  error  that  a 
liberal  education  is  unpractical,  and  the  error  that  a 
Christian  education  is  narrow. 

There  is  a  widely  prevalent  feeling  that  college  edu- 
cation is  a  luxury,  wasting  time,  weakening  energy,  creat- 
ing a  distaste  for  the  practical  affairs  of  life,  filling  with 
conceit  that  destroys  sympathy  and  fellowship  with  the 
common  people.  It  is  claimed  the  college  graduate 
emerges  from  a  cloister  and  comes  into  a  world  where 
language  is  still  to  be  learned  and  skill  still  to  be  ac- 
quired. This  is  not  the  opinion  of  educators  like  Presi- 
dent Eliott  of  Harvard,  who  advocated  before  the  New 
York  Chamber  of  Commerce  a  college  education  from 
a  business  standpoint,  basing  his  judgment  on  observa- 
tion of  the  careers  of  thousands  of  college  graduates. 
This  is  not  the  opinion  of  thoughtful  business  men  who 
speak  from  an  extended  experience,  like  the  managers 
of  various  large  business  enterprises  who  are  quoted 
by  President  Thwing  in  the  October  North  American 
Review  as  saying  that  while  the  college  man  will  find 
himself  behind  the  boy  with  whom  he  parted  company 
on  leaving  the  high  school,  he  will  in  a  few  years  over- 
take and  pass  the  latter,  through  keener  perception  and 
hnore  comprehensive  grasp.  Nevertheless  college  educa- 
tion is  not  valued  by  many  as  an  aid  to  success  in  busi- 
ness, and  in  consequence  of  this  opinion  many  are  skip- 
ping the  college  and  entering  at  once  in  to  active  busi- 
ness,   or    the    technical    and    industrial,    or    professional 


678 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


schools.  But  the  main  end  of  education  is  not  to  become 
rich.  It  may  justly  be  demanded  of  education  that  it 
add  to  the  material  warmth  and  happiness  of  the  world, 
but  education  is  an  end  in  itself.  The  ability  to  read  has 
a  commercial  value,  but  who  would  sell  his  power  to 
read  for  money?  Manhood,  not  money,  is  the  motto  of 
Erskine.  The  college  has  been  modernized  and,  with 
an  unchanging  purpose  must  have  constantly  changing 
methods  to  adjust  itself  to  the  changing  conditions.  But 
Erskine  can  never  stoop  from  its  high  work  to  teach  the 
tricks  of  finance  and  ^methods  of  business. 

Erskine  has  stood  also  for  a  thorough  education.  Wide 
reading  is  often  at  the  sacrifice  of  deep  thinking.  Cul- 
tivators of  the  soil  are  now  adopting  the  intensive  system. 
Students  are  attracted  to  large  universities  by  the  many 
courses  of  study.  But  a  university  does  not  multiply 
one's  faculties  or  increase  his  capacities.  There  is  no 
magic  process  to  impart  the  knowledge  of  a  great  li- 
brary. A  university  is  only  an  aggregation  of  courses. 
Graduation  does  not  mean  that  one  has  completed  all 
the  courses.  It  means  one  course  has  been  completed 
and  that  course  no  better  than  is  offered  in  a  small  col- 
lege. The  university  has  advantages.  So  has  the  col- 
lege. In  the  college  the  various  departments  are  better 
correlated,  and  the  studies  in  the  same  department  are 
more  closely  and  logically  related,  than  can  well  be  the 
case   in   the   university. 

But  above  all  else  Erskine  stands  for  Christian  educa- 
tion. Engraved  in  a  marble  slab  above  the  college  door 
was  written  in  Hebrew :  "The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the 
beginning  of  wisdom."  Below  was  inscribed  in  Latin  : 
"Scicntia  cum  morlbns  conjuncfa." .  There  is  a  polish 
acquired  from  the  drawing  room  and  pul)lic  functions 
of  state  and  great  cities,  a  familiarity  with  things  and 
a  readiness  of  conversation,  a  certain  versatility  of  intel- 
lect, which  comes  from  contact  with  men  and  the  glitter 
anrl  glare  of  erreat  universities  and  the  o-rcat  world.     But 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  679 

for  depth  of  thought  and  emotion,  for  grasp  and  grip  of 
opinion,  for  soberness  and  saneness  of  sentiment,  for 
HveHness  and  purity  of  imagination,  there  is  no  influence 
so  potent  as  the  presence  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  whether 
felt  near  the  ceaseless  roar  of  the  ocean,  beneath  the  si- 
lent twinkling  of  the  stars,  or  under  roofs  hallowed  by 
the  breath  of  prayer  and  the  memory  of  the  sainted  dead 
and  the  pious  living. 

When  the  Creator  of  life,  of  all  life  and  of  every  life, 
who  knows  the  value  of  life,  came  to  this  world.  He 
came  not  as  a  great  financier,  teaching  how  to  make 
money.  That  is  important.  He  came  not  as  a  great 
political  economist  and  statesman,  teaching  how  to  gov- 
ern men.  That,  too.  is  important.  But  He  came  saying, 
''Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  His  righteous- 
ness." He  came  asking,  "What  shall  it  profit  a  man,  if  he 
shall  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul."  The 
kingdom  ^must  be  sought.  The  soul  may  be  lost.  The 
religious  element,  although  as  much  a  part  of  a  man 
as  the  mind  or  body,  may  be  dwarfed  and  starved  by 
neglect.  The  bird  has  instinct  to  fly.  yet  the  mother- 
bird  teaches  and  coaxes  her  young  to  fly.  The  babe 
has  the  organs  of  speech,  but  if  removed  from  the  sound 
of  the  human  voice,  it  will  only  chatter  as  the  monkey. 
And  the  one  method  of  growing,  as  well  as  of  knowing, 
is  doing  the  will  of  God.  I  know  nothing  of  the  boulder 
at  the  mountain's  foot  nor  the  rock  on  its  top.  but  when 
the  two  are  brought  together  I  know  they  are  parts  of 
each  other,  because  the  indentations  and  prominences 
of  one.  fit  to  the  i)rominences  and  indentations  of  the 
other.  I  know  nothing  of  the  law  of  o])tics.  nor  the  mech- 
anism of  the  eye,  but  when  light  is  brought  to  the  eye,  I 
know  the  eye  was  made  for  light.  I  know  nothing  of  the 
])roperties  of  acoustics  and  nothing  of  the  anatomy  of  the 
ear.  Ijut  when  sound  is  Ijrought  to  the  ear  I  know  the  ear 
was  made  for  sound.  I  know  nothing  of  theology  and 
nothing  of   psychology,   but    when    the   soul    is   brought 


68o  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

to  God  I  know  the  soul  was  made  for  God.  Erskine 
teaches  astronomy  and  teaches  geology,  but  teaches  also, 
"The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  begmning  of  wisdom."  Not 
by  telescopic  view  of  the  worlds  in  the  heavens,  nor 
by  microscopic  inspection  of  the  worlds  on  the  earth,  but 
by  doing  the  will  of  God,  shall  we  know  the  doctrine 
and  enter  into  the  kingdom. 

The  Associate  Refoniied  Presbyterians  have  com- 
pleted a  centurv'  of  educational  work.  This  work  has 
not  been  without  errors.  The  results  are  not  imposing, 
but  of  Erskine  College  and  the  Theological  Seminary,  the 
main  products  of  the  church's  efforts,  we  are  proud. 
The  College  has  been  true  to  the  purpose  of  its  founders 
in  giving  a  thorough,  a  liberal,  and  a  Christian  educa- 
tion and  in  serving  as  an  ally  to  the  church.  Since  its 
establishment  in  1839,  Erskine  has  given  to  the  world 
674  graduates,  of  whom  174,  or  thirty-six  per  cent.,  have 
entered  the  Christian  ministry.  , 

In  telling  our  history  of  labor  and  love,  of  sacrifice 
and  faith,  one  may  be  pardoned  for  forgetting  the  ac- 
curacy of  a  judge  in  the  veneration  of  a  worshipper. 
Other  institutions  may  be  larger  and  wealthier.  But  to 
Associate  Reformed  people  they  are  not  dearer.  For 
Associate  Reformed  people  they  are  not  better.  Though 
the  walls  be  not  tapestried  and  wainscoated  with  rich 
and  antique  woods,  nor  adorned  with  mosaic  and  fres- 
coed with  Raphaelite  touches,  yet  the  wife  loves  the 
home  above  the  lordly  mansions  of  the  rich  because  it 
is  the  gift  of  the  sacrifice  and  love  of  husband,  to  whom 
the  food  of  her  preparing  tastes  sweeter  than  the  studied 
menus  of  Delmonico's  hostelries,  and  the  flowers  of  her 
planting  bloom  fairer  than  the  gardens  of  the  florist. 
The  son  who  puts  his  weekly  earnings  into  the  family 
purse  causes  the  parents  a  happiness  which  could  know 
no  appreciable  increase,  though  his  driblets  were  mines 
of  Colorado  silver  or  California  gold.  The  daughter, 
whose  little  words  of  kindness  and  little  deeds  of  love 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  68l 

lighten  and  brighten  and  sweeten  and  cheer  is 
loveher  than  the  princess  be  jeweled  with  pearls 
and  diamonds  and  rubies  and  gold.  Though  parents 
be  sometimes  too  forgetful  and  sometimes  too  cold, 
yet  children  like  to  come  and  be  children  still,  and 
listen  to  the  old  stories  told  many  times  before.  For  we 
all  soon  learn,  that  though  far  we  may  wander,  there  is 
no  place  like  home.  Within  this  circle  hearts  are  one. 
Wealth  may  wed  misery.  Poverty  may  wed  peace. 
Hearts  make  home.  The  past  is  worthy  and  full  of  in- 
spiration. With  united  hearts  and  united  hands  the 
future  will  excel  the  past.  For  the  church,  beginning 
a  second  century  of  educational  work,  I  pray,  "Peace  be 
within  thy  walls,  and  prosperity  within  thy  palaces.  For 
my  brethren  and  companions'  sakes,  I  will  now  say, 
Peace  be  within  thee." 


682  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


Associate  Reformed  Presbyterians  and 

Missions. 

By  Rev.  S.  W.  Haddon. 

For  the  sake  of  convenience,  Missions  are  usally  di- 
vided into  two  parts,  and  designated  by  the  terms  Home 
and  Foreign.  But  they  are  only  two  gigantic  arms  of 
one  still  more  gigantic  work — a  world's  evangelization. 
Not  only  in  those  distant  lands  that  lie  beyond  the  sea, 
but  in  the  very  neighborhood  of  our  churches,  do  we 
find  men  and  women  living  without  God  and  without  the 
gospel.  "Till  the  field  at  your  feet  and  send  others  to 
till  the  field  you  cannot  reach."  This  is  the  duty  of  every 
Christian,  for  only  thus  will  the  world's  field  be  sown 
with  the  seed  of  the  Kingdom,  and  wave  with  harvests 
for  God. 

"As  the  root  sustains  and  supports  the  tree,  both  in 
the  sunshine  and  in  the  storm,  so  does  the  Home  Mission 
w^ork  give  life,  vigor  and  size  to  our  work  in  foreign 
lands."  Therefore,  no  work  is  so  important  and  so 
necessary  as  that  in  the  home  field,  and  nothing  should 
so  call  forth  the  prayers  and  consecration  of  our  people. 
If  we  would  convert  the  world,  America  must  first  be 
laid  at  the  feet  of  Christ,  and  if  we  would  have  the 
beautiful  songs  of  inspiration  reverberate  throughout 
the  world,  they  must  first  be  sung  around  the  firesides 
of  our  homeland.  We  must  first  devote  our  attention 
to  Home  Missions.  It  is  only  thus  that  we  can  sustain 
Foreign  Missions. 

"One  of  the  features,"  says  Dr.  Robert  Lathan,  "of 
the  Associate  Reformed  church  is  that  it  has  always  been 
a  missionary  church."  Missionary  efiforts  in  the  Home 
field  began  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  our 
Synod.     In  1819  it  ordered  the  Rev.  John  T.  Pressly  to 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  683 

spend  two  months  in  laboring  among  the  scattered  va- 
cancies in  Georgia  and  Alabama,  during  which  time  he 
rode  more  than  900  miles  and  preached  on  every  alter- 
nate day.     In   1822,  the  Rev.   Isaac  Grier  spent  three 
months  and  the  Rev.  William  Blackstock  three  and  one 
half  months  as  missionaries  in  the  West,  the  labors  of  the 
former  being  confined  to  the  settlements  in  Georgia  and 
Alabama,   while  those  of  the  latter  extended  as   far  as 
Obion  County,  Tennessee.     These  missionary  tours  were 
repeated    vearly   by    some   member   or   members   of   the 
Synod.     The  Missionaries,  Blackstock.   Pressly,   Strong, 
Grier  and   Harris  traveled   over   all   the   territory   now 
embraced   in   the   States  of   Florida.   Georgia,   Alabama, 
Tennessee  and  Kentucky.     On  one  of  these  tours  a  mis- 
sionary   would    ride    on    horseback    through    a    sparsely 
populated    country,    more    than    2,000    miles,    preaching 
twice  every   Sabbath  and  often  on   week  days.      These, 
and  other  pioneers  of  our  church,  endured  hardships  as 
good  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ;  they  were  instant  in  sea- 
son and  out  of  season;  they  perilled  their  lives  for  the 
cause  of  the  Master  and  the  good  of  their  fellowmen ; 
and,  going  about  everywhere  to  preach  the  gospel,  they 
have  embalmed  their  names  in  the  sweetest  memories  of 
the  church.     They  shrank  from  no  dangers,  counted  no 
costs,  and  were  terrified  by  no  privations,  but  went  forth 
in  the  strength  of  the  Master  beseeching  men  to  be  rec- 
onciled to  God.  , 

Perhaps  the  longest  and  most  arduous,  as  well  as  most 
dangerous  missionary  journeys,  was  made  by  the  Rev. 
IT.  Bryson.  who  was  to  Middle  Tennessee  what  Doak 
was  to  east  Tennessee  or  Blackburn  to  north  Alabama. 
This  tour  was  made  by  the  order  of  his  Presbytery.  It 
occupied  about  twenty  months,  during  which  he  nmst 
have  traveled  from  three  to  four  thousand  miles  on 
horseback  through  a  country  that  was  just  opening  to 
civilization,  part  of  it  being  still  in  possession  of  the 
savages,   over   mountains   infested    with    robbers,   across 


684  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

streams  without  bridges  or  ferriers,  through  countries 
destitute  ahke  of  roads  and  postroads  and  without  com- 
pany. He  explored  the  whole  land  frottii  middle  Tennes- 
see down  towards  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  passing  through 
the  canebrakes  of  south  Alabama  and  going  as  far  South 
as  the  Hammocks  of  Florida,  preaching  at  almost  every 
town  from  Huntsville  and  Athens  on  the  north  by  way 
of  Tuscaloosa  as  far  as  settlers  were  found.  Then  going 
back  into  south  Alabama  along  the  Indian  trail  and  cross- 
ing the  bridgeless  streams,  he  preached  to  the  people 
whom  he  had  before  gathered  for  a  time,  intending  to 
go  directly  from  there  to  South  Carolina,  but  owing 
to  the  hostility  of  the  Creek  Indians,  he  tried  a  flank 
movement  higher  up  the  Alabama  and  Coosa  Rivers. 
After  undergoing  many  dangers  and  much  fatigue  he 
turned  up  into  Tennessee  and  preached  with  his  accus- 
tomed acceptance  for  awhile,  and  then  went  to  South 
Carolina  to  attend  the  meeting  of  his  Presbytery  at 
Cedar  Springs,  where  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work 
of  the  (ministry  Nov.  3,   1827. 

This  good  man  never  complained  of  the  hardness  of 
his  lot,  but  went  on  in  the  prosecution  of  his  chosen 
work.  For  months  and  months  his  dear  old  mother 
could  hear  nothing  of  her  "mission  boy,"  but  ever  and 
anon  she  was  hearing  of  some  unknown  traveler  in  the. 
West  found  murdered  by  the  roadside,  and  like  many 
another  praying  mother,  when  she  went  to  the  throne  of 
grace  did  not  know  how  to  pray  for  the  beloved  son, 
thinking  it  as  probable  that  he  was  in  heaven  as  in  the 
wilds  of  the  West.  But  her  agony  of  suspense  came  at 
last  to  an  end  by  the  appearance  of  the  tired  mission- 
ary riding  up  to  Cedar  Springs  church  one  Sabbath 
morning  just  as  Dr.  Pressly  was  going  in  to  preach  a 
sermon  with  reference  to  the  supposed  death  of  his  be- 
loved Timothy,  as  he  was  accustomed  to  call  him,  and 
thought  to  have  fallen  by  the  hand  of  a  highwayman 
awav  in  some  coree  of  the  mountains. 


CENTENxMIAL  ADDRESSES.  685 

jTliink  iov  a  nionicnt  of  the  joy  of  that  good  mother 
when  she  saw  her  darhng  son  return  safe  and  sound 
to  the  old  homestead.  Think  how  she  would  listen  and 
cry  by  turns  as  he  would  recount  the  many  dangers  safe- 
ly passed,  of  the  hungry  souls  that  he  had  fed,  of  the 
rivers  he  swam,  of  the  hunger  and  cold  he  had  endured 
and  where  is  there  a  Christian  mother  that  would  not 
rather  have  borne  such  a  son  than  to  have  given  birth 
to  Julius  Caesar?  Christian  mothers,  how  many  of  you 
can  loan  a  son  to  the  Lord  as  long  as  he  lives  to  preach 
the  gospel  to  a  perishing  world? 

But  the  efforts  of  our  church  in  the  Home  field  were 
not  confined  to  the  States  on  this  side  of  the  Mississippi 
River.  When  our  people  began  to  join  the  mighty 
throng  that  crossed  the  father  of  waters  in  search  of  new 
homes  in  Arkansas  and  Texas  the  Synod  sent  them 
ministers  to  gather  them  together  and  preach  to  them 
the  gospel.  Consequently  we  have  flourishing  congre- 
gations in  Arkansas  and  Texas,  and  the  work  is  being 
pushed  in  (Jklahoma.  ^^  hen  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  the 
Carolinas  was  organized  May  9,  1803,  there  were  seven 
ordained  ministers  and  about  2,000  members,  while  to- 
day we  have  104  ordained  ministers  and  about  12,000 
communicants.  The  Board  of  Home  Missions  has  had 
much  to  do  with  the  growth  of  our  church  at  home,  and 
strange  to  say,  it  is  the  youngest  of  the  boards  of  the 
Synod,  having  been  organized  at  Pott's  Station,  Ark., 
Oct.  25,  1888.  The  entire  membership  of  the  church  at 
that  time  was  7,666,  and  in  1899,  it  was  about  11,500, 
an  increase  of  nearly  4,000  during  this  period  of  ten 
years.  And  this  decade  was  also  notable  for  the  number 
of  congregations  organized  and  church  buildings  erect- 
ed,, the  majority  of  which  were  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Board  of  Home  Missions,  the  total  number  of  congre- 
gations organized  being  14,  twelve  of  which  erected 
houses  of  worshi])  at  a  total  cost  of  $52,480.  During 
this   |)eriod    several    evangelists   were   a])pointed    b\-    the 


586  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

Board  who  did  efficient  work  in  different  parts  of  the 
Synod.  They  preached  i,6oo  sermons,  received  2,600 
mtmbers  into  the  church  and  obtained  $9,000  in  con- 
tributions. "Xo  other  Christian  denomination  in  our 
land  can  show  a  larger  proportionate  gain,  greater  ac- 
tivity or  richer  liberality  on  the  part  of  its  membership 
during  the  same  period.  Truly  the  Lord  hath  done 
great  things  for  us  whereof  we  are  glad."  But  let  us 
not  be  satisfied  with  what  w^e  have  done  in  the  past.  Let 
us  seek  from  heaven  a  fresh  baptism  of  zeal,  energy  and 
enthusiasm,  and  redouble  our  efforts  in  the  home  field. 

Although  our  Synod  from  its  organization,  had  given 
considerable  attention  to  Home  Missions,  yet  the  work 
of  Foreign  Missions  had  been  prosecuted  in  a  somewhat 
desultory  and  haphazard  fashion.  Li  spite  of  the  com- 
mand of  the  great  captain  of  our  salvation,  "Go  ye  into 
all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature," 
to  which  is  annexed  the  inspiring  promise,  "Lo,  I  am 
with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world,"  the 
fathers  of  our  church  were  apparently  indifferent  to 
Foreign  Missions,  and  many  years  passed  away  before 
any  effort  was  made  to  systematize  missionary  operations 
in  the  Foreign  field,  or  to  provide  funds  for  this  purpose. 
But  the  fact  that  most  excites  our  wonder  is  that  more 
than  a  third  of  a  century  had  passed  away  before  there 
was  a  single  mention  of  the  subject  of  sending  the  gospel 
to  the  heathen.  Individual  contributions  were  made  here 
and  there  amounting  to  a  few  hundred  dollars,  and  in 
1839  Synod  created  a  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  and 
directed  it  to  forward  the  money  on  hand  to  the  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  church  as  a  contribution  to  their 
work  in  India. 

In  1840  overtures  were  made  to  the  Covenanters  to  co- 
operate with  them  in  the  foreign  field,  but  it  seems  that 
nothing  came  of  the  matter.  Then  in  1843  a  commit- 
tee w^as  appointed  to  consider  the  expediency  of  estab- 
lishing a  mission  in  some  foreign  land.     One  year  later 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  687 

this  committee  recommended  the  Indian  tribes  located 
in  the  Southwest,  and  the  West  Coast  of  Africa,  as  suita- 
ble fields.  While  it  seems  that  the  mission  to  the  Indians 
was  never  even  seriously  considered  for  soime  unknown 
reason,  in  1845  a  committee  was  appointed  to  select  a 
suitable  location  for  a  school  for  educatinpf  negroes  to  do 
mission  work  in  Africa.  It  was  generally  thought  that 
white  men  could  not  endure  the  deadly  miasmas  of  the 
West  coast.  And  an  additional  committee  was  appointed 
to  select  two  negro  boys  out  of  the  number  that  might 
be  offered  who  were  to  be  placed  at  once  under  the  care 
of  the  Rev.  Neill  E.  Gordon  of  Kentucky,  and  trained 
for  the  work.  Two  negro  boys  were  actually  selected 
and  placed  under  his  care  for  this  purpose ;  but  the  whole 
scheme  proved  to  be  a  wretched  failure  in  the  end. 

But  in  the  meantime,  while  this  experiment  was  being 
made  at  home,  and  before  the  final  result  was  known, 
the  Synod  ordered  the  Board  to  open  a  training  school 
in  Liberia.  Thos.  W^are,  a  negro  of  imknown  antece- 
dents, was  placed  in  charge  of  it.  He  died  in  1849,  '^"'^^ 
the  Rev.  H.  W.  Erskine,  a  white  'missionary  sent  out  to 
Liberia  by  the  Board  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  this  country,  then  took  charge  of  our  educational 
work  in  that  land.  The  government  of  Liberia 
donated  a  lot  of  land  to  our  Synod  for  education- 
al and  religious  purposes.  The  amount  of  this 
land  is  not  recorded,  nor  is  it  known  certainly  whether 
Synod  took  steps  to  erect  any  buildings  on  it.  At 
one  time  the  Board  accepted  three  negro  men  who 
were  to  be  sent  out  to  Liberia,  and  there  educated  side 
by  side  with  the  natives  for  missionary  work ;  but  it  is 
likely  that  they  were  never  actually  sent.  After  a  trial 
of  a  few  years  the  arrangement  with  the  Rev.  Erskine 
proved  unsatifactory  and  was  discontinued.  Still  the 
plan  was  no{  abandoned,  though  the  ])rospect  seemed 
gloomy.  r.ut  finally  the  whole  scheme  had  to  be 
given  up. 


588  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

We  should  be  very  grateful  to  God  that  this  signal 
failure  did  not  prove  disastrous  to  the  cause  of  missions. 
The  church,  while  evidently  discouraged,  was  not  ut- 
terly disheartened.  The  congregations  were  ordered  to 
make  a  special  offering  for  Foreign  Missions  at  each 
Spring  communion.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions 
was  dissolved  because  there  was  no  further  need  of  its 
existence.  But  in  1859  it  was  reorganized,  and  ordered 
to  look  up  a  new  field  for  missionary  work.  In  186 1  the 
Civil  War  broke  out,  and  the  needy  condition  of  the 
heathen  was  for  a  time  forgotten.  After  four  years  of 
unexampled  bloodshed  and  courage,  the  war  closed, 
but  its  dreadful  efifects  remained.  The  country  was  in  a 
most  deplorable  condition,  property  had  been  great- 
ly destroyed,  congregations  had  been  greatly  depleted, 
the  college  and  seminary  had  both  been  closed,  endow- 
ments had  been  swept  away  in  common  with  private  es- 
tates, and  thousands  of  our  young  men  slept  in  soldiers' 
graves.  Nor  was  the  era  of  reconstruction  much  less 
dreadful  than  the  war  itself.  The  church  needed  all  her 
resources  and  energies  to  begin  the  work  of  gathering 
up  the  fragments  and  organizing  her  scattered  and  de- 
moralized forces.  The  ranks  of  the  ministry  had  been 
thinned  by  age  and  death,  and  there  were  no  others  to 
take  their  places.  The  college  and  seminary  must  be 
reopened  or  the  church  will  cease  to  exist.  But  we  need 
not  dwell  longer  on  this  dark  and  sombre  picture.  Suf- 
fice it  to  say  that  during  those  trying  times,  there  was  no 
place  in  the  mind  of  the  church  for  new  enterprises.  The 
great  heathen  world  and  its  needs  were  almost  entirely 
forgotten  in  the  effort  to  meet  the  demands  at  home. 
This  state  of  afifairs  lasted  about  a  decade.  The  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions  still  existed,  but  its  existence  was 
largely  perfunctory.  , 

In  the  fall  of  1873  our  Synod  met  at  Mt.  Zion,  Mo., 
and  then  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  sent  overtures 
for  co-operation  in  the  foreign  field.     The  spirit  of  mis- 


CENTENXIAL  ADDRESSES.  689 

sions,  which  was  not  dead  but  only  slumbering,  awoke 
and  manifested  surprising  life.  From  the  Synod  the  in- 
terest and  zeal  spread  over  the  entire  church,  ^h.  W. 
A.  Wilson,  a  student  of  theology,  offered  himself  for  the 
foreign  field.  He  was  promptly  and  eagerly  accepted. 
Steps  were  at  once  taken  to  collect  the  needed  funds, 
and  the  response  of  the  church  was  prompt  and  gener- 
ous. Eg}pt  was  the  field  selected.  But  the  church  was 
doomed  to  another  disappointment,  for  the  newly  ap- 
pointed missionary  was  compelled  on  account  of  family 
afflictions  to  decline  the  work.  Still  the  purpose  of  en- 
gaging in  foreign  mission  work  was  not  abandoned  by 
the  church,  nor  was  her  enthusiasm  abated.  The  at- 
tention of  the  Board  was  next  unanimously  centered  on 
Miss  ^^lary  E.  Galloway,  whose  qualifications  for  the 
work  were  pre-eminent  and  conspicuous.  But  they  were 
more  manifest  to  others  than  to  herself,  and  so  when 
the  closed  door  stands  open  before  her  she  hesitates,  and 
waits  to  see  if  the  call  is  really  from  God.  Jwst  at  this 
juncture,  not  by  coincidence,  nor  by  accident,  but  by 
providence  an  earnest  appeal  came  from  the  Board  of  the 
U.  P.  Church  that  we  would  add  one  missionary  to  the 
company  that  was  soon  to  sail  for  Eg\-pt.  The  matter 
was  quickly  decided,  and  preparation  for  an  early  depar- 
ture was  begun.  This  kindled  an  enthusiasm  which 
spread  over  the  entire  church.  Perhaps  no  event  in  our 
past  denominational  history  had  awakened  and  called 
forth  so  much  feeling,  or  a  more  unanimous  and  hearty 
response  than  the  sending  out  of  our  first  missionary  to 
the  foreign  field.  It  marked  the  beginning  of  a  new  era, 
and  the  infusion  of  new  life  and  energy  into  every  de- 
partment of  the  church's  work.  The  number  of  minis- 
ters was  increased,  the  membership  was  soon  doubled, 
and  the  financial  resources  were  multiplied  manifold. 

Mrs.    Mary   Galloway   Giffen    fell   on   sleep   in   Cairo, 
Egypt,  Oct.  16,  188 1,  after  six  years  of  faithful  service. 
A  great  wave  of  sorrow  swept  over  the  church  when  it 
44 


690 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


was  known  that  our  first  representative  in  the  foreign 
field  had  passed  away.  , 

Three  years  before  this  sad  event,  an  independent 
mission  had  been  estabHshed  in  Mexico,  and  the  Rev. 
N.  E.  Pressly  and  wife  sent  out  as  missionaries.  After 
spending  a  year  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  acquiring  the 
language  these  missionaries  planted  our  first  mission  in 
Tampico,  which  is  the  most  important  city  in  the  terri- 
tory assigned  to  our  church  by  the  missionary  forces  in 
the  Republic.  From  this  mustard  seed,  which  is  the 
smallest  of  all  seeds,  there  sprung  up  a  tree  which  is 
increasing  in  size  year  by  year.  Time  forbids  us  to 
dwell  upon  the  details  of  the  work  which  has  developed 
so  successfully  in  the  land  of  the  Aztecs ;  but  we  will  say 
that  in  1887  our  force  was  increased  by  the  sending 
out  of  the  Rev.  J  .S.  A.  Hunter  and  wife ;  in  1891  Misses 
Stevenson  and  Boyce ;  in  1883  the  Rev.  J.  R.  Edwards 
and  wife;  in  1899  Miss  Lavinia  Neel,  Miss  Kate  Neel 
and  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Dale ;  and  in  1901  Miss  Fannie  L. 
Wallace.  , 

Every  name  in  this  goodly  list  that  has  just  been  men- 
tioned deserves  a  tribute  of  commendation  and  praise 
for  faithful,  earnest  and  self-denying  labors  in  the  service 
of  the  King  and  Head  of  the  Church.  Dr.  A.  T.  Pier- 
son  well  says :  "The  missionary  embodies  the  highest 
types  of  human  excellence  and  his  profession  is  of  the 
noblest  kind.  He  has  the  enterprise  of  the  merchant, 
without  the  narrow  desire  of  gain  ;  the  dauntlessness  of 
the  soldier,  without  the  shedding  of  blood ;  the  zeal  of 
the  geographical  explorer,  but  for  a  higher  motive  than 
science."  , 

As  a  church,  we  have  great  reason  for  gratitude  to 
God  for  the  manifest  tokens  of  approval,  and  the  mani- 
fold blessings  of  his  grace  and  spirit  on  our  mission  in 
Mexico.  There  we  have  four  foreign  male  missionaries, 
four  female  missionaries,  six  native  pastors,  five  female 
native     teachers     and     helpers,     eighteen     congregations 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  69  I 

and  stations,  and  two  hundred  and  ninety-five  com- 
municants. Such  an  exhibit  ought  to  strengthen 
our  faith  and  increase  our  devotions  to  those  whom 
God  has  called  and  honored  in  making  them  co- 
workers with  Him  in  sending  the  gospel  to  the 
lost  in  Mexico.  As  a  final  word,  let  me  say,  in  the 
language  of  Bishop  J.  ]\I.  Thoburn,  "The  signs  of 
the  times,  the  lessons  of  the  past,  the  indications  of 
the  future,  the  call  of  providence,  and  the  voices  which 
come  borne  to  us  by  every  breeze,  and  from  every  nation 
under  heaven,  all  alike  bid  us  lay  our  plans  upon  a  scale 
worthy  of  men  who  expect  to  conquer  a  world."  "Go  ye 
therefore  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I 
have  commanded  you ;  and  lo  T  am  with  you  always, 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world."     Amen. 


692 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


What  the  Associate  Reformed  Church 
Stands  For. 

Address  by  Rev.  J.  S.   Mofkatt,  D.  D. 

By  way  of  preface  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  state 
first  what  the  Associate  Reformed  Church  does  not  stand 
for. 

It  does  not  stand  for  any  such  doctrine  as  that  its 
symbols  of  faith  are  inspired  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  that 
they  embrace  the  truth,  the  whole  truth  and  nothing-  but 
the  truth  in  every  particular ;  and  that  whosoever  dares 
to  propose  any  change  in  them  is  chargeable  with 
sacrilege. 

It  does  not  reverence  the  catechism  more  than  the 
Scriptures.  It  does  not  substitute  a  creed  for  the  Christ. 
It  is  a  creed-holder,  it  is  not  a  creed  worshipper. 

It  realizes  that  its  creed  is  but  the  judgment  of  fallible 
men  and  it  does  not  essay  to  put  its  creed  in  the  Ark  of 
Testimony  along  side  of  the  Tables  of  Law. 

The  Associate  Reformed  church  does  not  stand  for 
any  such  pretension  as  that  it  is  the  only  true  Church  of 
God.  It  does  not  assume  to  stand  off  to  itself  in  a 
holier-than-thou  attitude. 

It  proclaims  the  spiritual  unity  of  an  externally  divided 
Church  ;  it  preaches  the  brotherhood  of  all  believers ;  and 
rejoices  in  the  communion  of  the  Saints. 

It  stands  not  for  bigotry,  narrowness,  obstinacy  or 
schism,  but  it  pleads  for  the  supremacy  of  truth,  loyalty 
to  conscience,  and  the  holding  of  the  truth  in  love. 

Coming  to  the  positive  aspects  of  the  question,  we  may 
say  that  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church 
stands  for  the  vast  body  of  truth  held  in  a  general  way 
by  all  the  evangelical  churches  in  common.  The  exist- 
ence and  three-fold  character  of  dod  ;  Cod  the  Father, 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  693 

God  the  Son,  and  God  the  Holy  Spirit :  all  men  lost  in 
sin;  Jesus  Christ,  the  Saviour  from  sin;  the  Holy 
Spirit  the  applier  of  the  redemption  wrought  out 
by  Christ;  the  Bible  a  revelation  from  heaven  to 
men,  making  known  God's  gracious  purposes  and 
holy  will :  the  salvation  provided  by  Christ  available 
to  the  sinner  through  repentance  and  faith;  whoso- 
ever believeth  shall  be  saved  and  whosoever  believeth  not 
shall  be  condemned ;  good  works  not  the  ground,  but  the 
evidence  of  salvation  :  these  are  some  of  the  main  doc- 
trines held  by  the  Associate  Reformed  Church  in  com- 
mon with  the  evangelical  branches  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  stands 
for  the  whole  body  of  truth  held,  or  once  held,  by  most 
of  the  families  of  the  Presbyterian  tribe.  It  stands  for 
acceptance  of  and  adherence  to  the  Westminster  Stan- 
dards ;  not  that  it  binds  itself  to  accept  and  defend  every 
single  statement  therein  found  as  true  beyond  all  ques- 
tion, but  that  these  standards  taken  as  a  whole  are  the 
most  systematic,  comprehensive  and  exact  summary  of 
Bible  truth  to  which  expression  has  been  given  in  and  by 
the  Church. 

It  stands,  accordingly,  for  the  Calvinistic  system  of 
theology ;  not  that  it  stands  for  certain  interpretations 
of  this  theology,  or  for  certain  declarations  that  are  al- 
leged to  be  part  and  parcel  of  this  theology,  or  for  the 
extravagances  of  some  who  style  themselves  disciples  of 
Calvin ;  but  for  the  fundamental  principles  of  this  the- 
ology beginning  with  the  absolute  sovereignty  of  God  and 
embracing  the  remaining  four  ])oints  logically  springing 
therefrom  unto  the  assured  salvation  of  the  elect. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  stands  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  cliurcli  l)y  elders: — all  l)ishops.  pastors 
and  rulers  l)cing  elders,  and  having  authority  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord  to  act  for  Jesus  Christ,  the  King  and 
Head  of  the  Church. 


694 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


There  are  several  things  that  our  church  would  make 
specially  strong  in  her  testimony-  One  is  with  respect 
to  the  Bible. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  stands  stoutly  for 
the  plenary  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures.  Its  testimony 
is  that  the  inspiration  extends  not  merely  to  some  por- 
tions of  the  Bible  but  to  the  whole  Bible ;  not  only  to  the 
words  and  sermons  of  Christ  but  to  the  Epistles  of  Paul 
and  Peter  as  well.  Its  position  is  that  not  merely  the 
contents,  the  body  of  truth  found  in  the  Scriptures  is 
inspired  of  God  but  that  the  inspiration  extends  to  the 
very  words ;  that  not  only  does  the  Bible  contain  the 
word  of  God  but  the  Bible  is  the  Word  of  God. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  stands  to  witness 
that  only  an  inspiration  of  this  kind  is  sufficient  to  con- 
stitute the  Bible  an  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 
If  only  the  sentiments  and  ideas  of  the  Bible  are  inspired 
and  the  form  left  to  human  wisdom  how  shall  we  be 
assured  that  these  divine  communications  have  found 
correct  expression.  In  such  a  case  we  must  face  the  pos- 
sibility, yes,  the  probability,  that  the  Bible  is  a  book  full 
of  errors.  It  can  no  longer  be  a  sure  guide.  It  ceases 
to  speak  to  us  as  the  Word  of  God  and  weakly  ad- 
dresses us  as  the  words  of  men. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  does  not  contend 
that  there  are  no  errors  in  the  Bible  as  we  have  it  to- 
day. It  would  be  strange  indeed  if  having  passed  through 
so  many  hands,  and  so  many  casualities,  and  having 
been  so  often  transcribed,  some  errors  should  not 
have  cre])t  in.  But  the  contention  is  that  as  origin- 
ally given  to  the  church  there  were  no  errors  and  that 
the  originals  have  been  so  guarded  by  the  Spirit,  and  so 
reverentl}-  and  carefully  handled  by  godly  and  faithful 
men  that  whatever  errors  ma}-  have  crept  in  through 
human  frailty  are  slight  and  have  not  corrupted  or 
changed  in  any  essential  particular  the  originally  inspired 
documents.       Neither     does     the     Associate     Reformed 


CEXTENXIAL  ADDRESSES.  695 

Church  maintain  that  God  reckiced  the  holy  writers  to 
mere  machines  in  inspiring  their  thouf^hts  and  in  indit- 
in_cc  their  words  while  communicating'  his  will  to  men. 

On  the  contrary  it  helieves  that  God  left  each  writer 
free  to  exhihit  his  own  peculiar  traits,  to  use  his  own 
vocabular\-  and  the  learning  of  his  times,  and  to  utilize 
the  store  of  illustrations  drawn  from  his  peculiar  sur- 
roundings, occupations,  or  manner  of  life;  but  God  so 
put  the  seal  and  superintendance  of  his  inspiration  upon 
all  that  the  writer  expressed  in  his  unique  way  that  his 
writing  became  the  inerrant  vehicle  of  God's  truth. 

Adhering  to  this  view  of  inspiration,  the  Associate 
Reformed  Church  accepts  all  the  teachings  of  God's 
word  though  it  may  not  be  able  to  reconcile  them  with 
one  another  by  the  power  of  human  reason. 

If  the  Bible  teaches  both  the  Sovereignty  of  God  and 
the  free  agency  of  man.  the  Associate  Reformed  Church 
says  that  we  must  accept  and  believe  both  these  truths 
without  speculation,  trimming  or  reservation,  no  matter 
how  incompatible  wath  human  reason  or  incomprehensi- 
ble to  human  understanding  they  may  seem  to  be. 

Furthermore,  the  view  of  inspiration  which  it  holds 
leads  the  Associate  Reformed  Church  to  stand  for  the 
sole,  supreme,  infallible  authority  of  the  Bible  in  all 
questions  of  manners,  morals,  religion,  and  duty.  Its 
api^eal  is  ever  "To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony." 

Taking  such  a  stand,  the  Associate  Reformed  Church 
is  a  marked  conservative  force  among  the  churches  and 
in  society.  It  asks  for  the  old  paths.  It  makes  haste  to 
go  slow.  It  wastes  little  time  upon  what  is  known  as 
"Higher  Criticism."  It  stands  for  simplicity  in  life  and 
worship  as  in  the  days  of  the  fathers ;  for  truth  and 
honesty  in  all  dealings ;  for  sacred  regard  for  the  Sab- 
bath day ;  and  for  opposition  to  worldly  amusements. 

The  standard  sermon  still  has  three  heads,  and  the 
orthodox   time   for  the   second   service   is   early   candle- 


696 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


Another  thing  the  Associate  Reformed  Church  makes 
particularly  strong  in  its  testimony  is  in  respect  to  the 
mode  of  divine  worship.  Our  church  gives  pronounced 
and  emphatic  witness  to  the  principle  that  God  is  to  be 
worshipped  only  in  the  way  appointed  in  his  word. 

This  proposition  seems  simple  enough  but  it  is  deep 
and  broad  in  its  sweep.  It  might  appear  to  be  self  evi- 
dent on  its  face  but  it  does  not  command  universal  as- 
sent and  application.  Indeed,  it  is  the  application  of 
this  principle  that  forms  the  chief  ground  for  the 
separate  existence  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church. 

It  will  be  readily  granted  by  all  Protestant  Christians 
that  what  is  expressly  forbidden  in  the  worship  of  God 
is  not  to  be  tolerated.  In  the  Second  Commandment 
God  forbids  the  use  of  images  in  worship.  Then  away 
with  images,  say  we  all. 

It  will  also  be  readily  granted  that  what  is  expressly 
enjoined  in  the  worship  of  God  is  to  be  observed.  God 
enjoins  that  prayer  be  made  and  for  whom  prayer  should 
be  made.    Let  this  be  done  without  deviation. 

But  what  of  a  large  class  of  acts,  rites,  and  ceremonies 
which  are  neither  expressly  commanded  nor  explicitly 
forbidden  in  the  worship  of  God.  Are  we  at  liberty  or  not 
to  introdluce  these  at  our  pleasure  and  judgment?  It 
is  at  this  point  that  the  principle  for  which  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Church  stands  comes  into  play. 

Because  God  expressly  forbids  the  use  of  images  in 
worship,  some  would  infer  that  only  what  is  forbidden 
is  prohibited  in  worship,  and  what  is  not  forbidden  is 
permissible  in  worship.  They  would  maintain  that  what 
is  expressly  commanded  in  worship  holds  only  as  to  the 
specific  rite  or  ordinance  commanded,  and  what  is  not 
expressly  commanded  if  it  is  not  explicitl}^  forbidden  is 
proper  and  lawful  in  worship  if  it  meets  the  approval  of 
sanctified  common  sense  and  is  deemed  profitable  to  the 
church. 

Now  the  position  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Chiuxh  is 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  697 

that  nothing  is  to  be  used  in  the  worship  of  God  except 
what  he  has  clearly  authorized  and  sanctioned ;  and  that 
all  that  is  not  prescribed  and  sanctioned  of  God  is  as 
much  excluded  from  his  worship  as  if  it  were  explicitly 
forbidden. 

The  record  of  the  sin  of  Nadab  and  Abihu  is  stated  in 
these  suggestive  words:  "And  Nadab  and  Abihu,  the 
sons  of  Aaron,  took  either  of  them  his  censer  and  put 
fire  therein  and  offered  strange  fire  before  the  Lord 
which  he  commanded  them  not."  Mark  you,  it  does  not 
read  that  they  offered  strange  fire  which  He  had  for- 
bidden them  to  do,  but  they  offered  strange  fire  which 
He  commanded  them  not.  By  not  commanding,  God 
had  forbidden ;  by  prescribing  what  the  incense  was  to  be 
and  how^  it  was  to  be  offered  and  wdiat  kind  of  fire  was  to 
be  used,  he  had  prohibited  all  other  incense  and  all 
other  fire,  and  all  other  ways  of  offering  incense. 

The  expression  just  noticed  leads  Bishop  Hall  to  ob- 
serve :  "We  have  to  do  with  a  God  who  is  wise  to  pre- 
scribe His  own  worship,  just  to  require  what  He  has 
prescribed,  and  powerful  to  revenge  what  He  has  not 
prescribed." 

It  is  not  the  silence  of  the  Scriptures  that  sanctions 
how  God  is  to  be  worshijipcd  ;  and  we  may  not  presume 
upon  the  silence  of  Holy  \\'rit  to  attempt  to  make  God's 
worship  more  impressive,  interesting  or  attractive  by 
our  own  devices 

Our  sure  and  safe  ground  consists  in  worshipping  God 
only  in  the  way  or  ways  that  He  has  prescribed  and  ap- 
pointed in  His  word.  To  deny  or  to  abandon  this  prin- 
ciple is  to  open  the  door  wide  to  libertinism  and  latitudi- 
narianism. 

God's  appointments  for  His  worship  are  the  expres- 
sion of  the  divine  wisdom  and  will  for  that  particular 
service. 

To  deviate  from  these  appointments,  or  to  set  them 
aside,  or  to  modify  them,  or  to  attempt  improvements. 


698 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


upon  them  is  to  reflect  upon  the  divine  wisdom  and  to  set 
up  our  will  against  the  divine  will. 

If  we  may  thus  challenge  God's  wisdom  and  will  in 
worship,  why  not  in  other  matters?  Why  not  in  respect 
to  the  Bible  He  has  given  us,  and  in  respect  to  the 
Saviour  He  has  provided,  and  the  salvation  He  offers 
through  this  Saviour?  As  a  matter  of  fact  has  not  the 
divine  wisdom  been  called  in  qtiestion  in  respect  to  these 
very  things?  And  have  not  the  critics  and  objectors  in 
many  instances  at  least  come  logically  to  their  attitude? 
Did  not  the  Church  herself  open  the  wa}'  by  her  own 
example  ? 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  realizing  its  far  reach- 
ing consequences  stands  by  the  principle  announced  in 
the  51  question  of  the  Shorter  Catechism  that  "The 
second  commandment  forbids  the  worshipping  of  God 
by  images^  or  any  other  ivay  not  appointed  in  his  zvord." 

It  is  in  the  application  of  this  principle  that  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Church  confines  itself  exclusively  to  the 
inspired  songs  of  the  Bible  in  God's  worship. 

Wq  know  that  these  songs  have  the  divine  sanction. 
They  were  appointed  for  use  under  the  former  dispensa- 
tion. Why  were  they  included  in  the  inspired  canon  if 
they  were  not  appointed  and  intended  for  use  in  the 
present  dispensation  ? 

Other  songs  may  be  good  but  where  is  their  sanction 
for  the  sanctuary  service? 

If  God  had  intended  other  songs  to  be  sung  in  His 
praise  why  did  He  not  give  them  a  place  in  the  Scripture 
hymnologv  ?  , 

Is  it  credible  that  God  would  prepare  and  prescribe  a 
psalmody  for  His  worship  in  the  former  days  and  then 
leave  His  Church  in  these  latter  times  to  be  guided  by 
their  own  wisdom  and  to  offer  in  praise  to  Him  any 
kind  of  so-called  sacred  songs  that  may  appeal  to  the 
fancy  or  emotions  of  the  worshippers? 

Docs  not  the  Church  need  the  inspiration  and  super- 


CENTEX XI AL  ADDRESSES.  699 

intendance  of  the  Spirit  in  the  production  of  its  hymn- 
ology  in  one  age  as  much  as  in  another?  Are  the  Saints 
of  this  day  any  more  able  to  prepare  a  suitable  psalmody 
apart  from  the  Spirit's  inspiration  than  were  Moses  and 
David  ? 

But  God  having  given  to  the  Church  only  this  one 
book  of  praises,  the  Associate  Reformed  Church  regards 
this  fact  as  an  indication  that  these  songs  alone  are  to  be 
sung  in  I  lis  worship  until  the  end  of  the  world  and 
docs  not  feel  at  liberty  to  use  any  other  songs. 

It  might  be  added  that  the  Associate  Reformed  Church 
believes  also  that  its  application  of  this  important  prin- 
ciple in  the  matter  of  an  inspired  psalmody  is  re-enforced 
by  other  substantial  considerations. 

The  l)ook  of  Scripture  praises  is  the  most  catholic 
liymn  book.  Indeed,  it  is  the  only  unsectarian  hymn- 
ology. 

The  songs  of  uninspired  men  are  naturally  colored  by 
the  theological  and  denominational  views  of  the  various 
authors,  so  that  it  is  not  strange  that  we  have  Presby- 
terian hymns,  and  Methodist  hymns,  and  Baptist  hymns. 
I)Ut  the  Psalms  of  the  Bible  are  neither  Presbyterian, 
Methodist,  nor  Bajitist  hymns;  they  are  God's  songs,  as 
undenominational  as  the  liible  itself.  This  fact  is  much 
in  their  favor. 

These  songs  indited  by  the  Spirit  of  (iod  are  the  best 
that  can  be  had.  Will  we  not  all  agree  that  we  ought 
to  offer  to  God  in  praise,  as  well  as  in  every  thing  else, 
tlie  very  l)est  at  our  command?  Surely  it  cannot  be 
(lis])ut(.(l  that  tlie  songs  of  inspiration  are  superior  to 
any  songs  which  men  can  indite  as  the  Bible  of  inspira- 
tion is  superior  to  any  book  that  man  can  write. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  stands  for  giving 
God  nothing  but  the  best.  Confinement  to  the  use  of 
the  sacred  songs  in  worship  is  not  only  a  matter  of  sound 
principle  but  also  of  safe  jiolicy. 

Bv  adhering  exclusively   t(i   the   P.ible   son<2S   all   doo-- 


700  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

gerel  poetry  and  sentimental  trash  and  questionable 
stuff  are  ruled  of  solemn  worship,  and  an  adaman- 
tine barrier  raided  against  all  religious  heresies  and  va- 
garies that  are  liable  to  insinuate  themselves  through  the 
medium  of  song.  Using  only  the  songs  which  God  has 
given  us  we  are  on  safe  ground  and  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church  stands  for  the  policy  of  keeping  on  safe 
and  solid  ground. 

"  O,  World-God  give  me  Power  !"  the  Roman  cried. 

His  prayer  was  granted.     The  vast  world  was  chained 
A  Captive  to  the  chariot  of  his  pride. 

But  now  "A  roofless  ruin  stands  where  once  abode 
The  imperial  race  of  everlasting  Rome.' 

"  O,   World-God,  give  me   Beauty !"   cried   the   Greek. 
His  prayer  was  granted.     All  the  earth  became 
Plastic  and  vocal  to  his  sense  ; 

The   lyre  was  his.  and  his  the  lireathing  might 
Of  the  immortal  marble,  his  the  play 

Of   diamond-pointed   thought   and    golden   tongue. 
Go  seek  the   sunshine   race.     Ye   find  to-day 
A  broken  column  and  a  lute  unstrung. 

"  O,  God-head,  give  me  Truth !  the  Hebrew  cried. 
His  prayer  was  granted.     He  became  the  slave 
Of  the  Idea,  a  pilgrim  far  and  wide. 

'■  Seek  him  today,  and  find  in  every  land. 

No  fire  consumes  him.  neither  floods  devour ! 
Immortal   through   the  lamp   within   his   hand." 

And  so  if  we  are  not  mistaken  the  cry  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Church  is,  "Give  me  Truth !  believing 
that  the  light  of  truth  is  the  lamp  imm()rtal  within  the 
Church. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  701 


The  Hand  of  God  in  our  History. 

SERMON    BV    REV.    W.    L.    PRESSLY,   D.   D. 

Text. — First  Samuel:  7-12:  "Then  Samuel  took  a  stone, 
and  set  it  between  Mizpeh  and  Shem,  and  called  the  name  of  it 
Ebenezer,  saying,  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  us." 

God  is  the  Creator,  so  is  He  the  Governor  of  the 
world.  The  one  of  these  propositions  would  appear  to 
involve  the  other.  But  we  are  not  left  to  any  impres- 
sions of  our  own,  however  satisfactory  they  may  seem, 
with  regard  to  this  matter.  This  is  a  point  on  which 
the  Scriptures  are  not  only  explicit.  They  are  emphatic  as 
well.  The  Psalmist  says:  "The  Lord  hath  prepared 
His  throne  in  the  Heavens,  and  His  Kingdom  ruleth 
over  all."  The  Prophet  says:  "He  doeth  according  to 
His  will  in  the  armies  of  Heaven  and  among  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  earth,"  and  the  ^Master  himself  says.  "Are 
not  two  sparrows  sold  for  a  farthing?  and  one  of  them 
shall  not  fall  on  the  ground  without  your  Father,  but  the 
very  hairs  of  your  heads  are  all  numbered."  His  provi- 
dence, then,  has  to  do  with  the  affairs  of  men  great  and 
small.  It  has  to  do  with  the  affairs  of  individuals.  "The 
steps  of  a  good  man's  heart  deviseth  his  way,  but  the 
Lord  directeth  his  steps."  It  has  to  do  with  the  affairs 
of  nations  or  communities  of  men.  The  Most  High  rul- 
eth in  the  Kingdom  of  men  and  giveth  it  to  whomsoever 
Pie  will."  "By  Him  kings  reign  and  princes  decree  jus- 
tice, even  all  the  judges  of  the  earth."  "The  kingdom 
is  the  Lord's  and  Pie  ruleth  among  nations." 

''For  God,  the  Lord,  all  Empire  owns. 
And  reigns  above  all  earthly  thrones." 

It  has  to  do  with  the  affairs  of  the  cluuxh.      Indeed 
the  whole  scheme  of  Divine  Providence,  from  becinninir 


rjo2  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

to  end,  has  respect,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  either 
immediately  or  remotely,  to  the  church ;  and  so  we  read 
that  Jesus  Christ  was  given  to  be  head  over  all  things 
to  the  church,  which  is  His  body,  the  fulness  of  Him 
that  filleth  all  in  all. 

Under  the  former  dispensation  the  chiu'ch  and  State 
or  commonwealth,  were  identical.  The  terms  or  condi- 
tions of  admission  into  the  one  were  the  terms  or  condi- 
tions of  admission  into  the  other.  A  person  could  not  be 
a  member  of  one  without  being  a  member  of  the  other 
as  well.  The  ecclesiastical  aspect  of  this  complex  body 
was,  however,  b}'  far  the  more  prominent  and  the  more 
important.  In  this  connection  we  have  a  signal  instance 
or  example,  or  illustration  of  God's  Providential  care  for 
His  people,  that  is,  for  His  Church.  As  a  chastisement 
for  their  unfaithfulness  God  left  His  people  in  the  hands 
of  their  enemies,  the  Philistines. 

For  twenty  years,  perhaps  for  a  longer  period,  they 
were  grievously  oppressed.  At  length  this  chastise- 
ment bore  its  appropriate  and  blessed  fruit,  for  we  are 
told  that  "all  the  house  of  Israel  lamented  after  the 
Lord."  Encouraged  by  this  hopeful  frame  of  mind, 
Samuel  called  a  meeting  of  the  people  at  Mizpeh.  This 
was  not  a  military  gathering.  Indeed  it  is  more  than 
doubtful  if  there  was  an  armed  man  present  in  all  that 
assembly.  Their  masters,  the  Philistines,  had  most  ef- 
fectually disarmed  them,  and  they  had  taken  measures 
just  as  effectual  that  they  should  not  arm  themselves 
again.  See  ist  Samuel,  13:19-21.  At  a  later  period  and 
in  an  actual  state  of  war  we  are  told  that  only  Samuel 
and  Jonathan  were  armed.     See  1st  Samuel,  13:22. 

This,  then,  was  a  meeting  for  praver,  for  confes- 
sion, for  supplication  and  for  renewing  their  covenant 
with  the  God  of  their  fathers.  lUit  the  Philistines  were 
suspicious  of  all  ])ublic  asseml)lics  of  the  people  and  dis- 
patched an  armed  force  to  disperse  this  one.  l^narmed 
as  they  were,  it  is  not  strange  that  the  people  were  panic 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  703 

stricken  by  the  appearance  of  an  armed  force,  with  evi- 
dent hostile  intent,  and  appealed  to  Samuel  and  Samuel 
appealed  to  God.  and  we  read  that  the  Lord  thundered 
with  great  thunder  that  day  against  the  Philistines  and 
discomfited  them.  Their  route  was  complete  and  it  only 
remained  for  Israel  to  pursue  and  spoil.  In  grateful 
recognition  of  this  gracious  interposition  in  their  behalf, 
and  in  commemoration  of  it  as  well,  we  are  told 
that  Samuel  took  a  stone  and  set  it  between  Mizpeh 
and  Shen  and  called  the  name  of  it  "Ebenezer,"  that  is. 
the  stone  of  help.  And  we  are  told  that  he  accompanied 
that  pious  act  with  this  pious  sentiment:  "Hitherto 
hath  the  Lord  helped  us."  But  as  past  experience  of 
God's  goodness  is  a  promise  and  a  pledge  of  continued 
favor,  conditioned  only  on  obedience,  so  this  stone  would 
be  an  inspiration  for  the  future  as  well  as  a  commemora- 
tion of  the  past. 

THE  CHURCH  IX  RETROSPECT. 

It  would  be  an  inspiration  for  the  future  just  because 
it  was  a  commemoration  of  the  past.  In  the  good  provi- 
dence of  God,  that  branch  of  His  church  with  which  we 
are  identified  has  reached  a  stage  in  its  history  which 
invites  to  retrospection.  One  hundred  years  ago  what 
was  then  known  as  the  Presbytery  of  the  Carolinas  and 
Georgia  was  erected  into  a  Synod  and  took  the  name  of 
the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas.  This  Synod  was  an  integral 
part  of  the  General  Synod,  organized  about  the  same 
time,  and  which  consisted  of  the  Synod  of  New  York, 
the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Synod  of  Scioto,  and  the 
Synod  of  the  Carolinas.  In  1822,  nineteen  years  later, 
for  reasons  which  cannot  be  discussed  now,  the  Synod 
of  the  Carolinas.  with  the  full  consent  of  the  General 
Synod,  withdrew  from  that  body  and  was  organized  into 
an  independent,  co-ordinate  Synod  and  took  the  name 
of  the  .Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South.  In 
1858   all    the    .\ssociate   Rcforniefl    churches,   except    the 


J04  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South,  entered  into  a 
union  with  the  Associate  Church,  and  formed  that  noble 
body  of  Christians  known  to  us  as  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  and  whose  honored  representative  has  a 
seat  on  this  floor  to-day.  As  the  Synod  of  the  South  was 
then  the  only  Associate  Reformed  Church  in  existence 
its  distinguishing  title  has  been  disregarded  as  no  longer 
necessar}-,  and  is  now  commonly  known  as  the  Associate 
Reformed  Presbyterian  Church. 

It  is  proposed  to-day  to  look  back  over  the  history  of 
this  church  during  the  century  of  its  existence,  especial- 
ly with  the  view  or  purpose  of  discovering,  if  we  can,  the 
hand  of  God  in  our  experience  as  a  church ;  that  we  may 
duly  recognize  our  indebtedness  to  Him,  as  well  as  our 
continued  dependence  upon  Him.  Nothing  less  than  this 
would  excuse,  much  less  justly,  such  an  historical  re- 
view as  this  must  of  necessity  be  on  this  day  set  apart 
to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God.  In  attempting  this  we 
shall  endeavor  to  bear  in  mind  that,  as  Robert  Ellis 
Thompson,  in  his  work  entitled,  "The  Hand  of  God  in 
American  History,"  has  expressed  it,  "it  is  not  per- 
mitted for  any  one  to  play  privy  counsellor  to  the  Al- 
mighty and  to  trace  all  the  operations  of  His  guiding 
hand  in  any  historical  crisis.  But  a  few  things  we  may 
indicate  as  less  recondite  and  more  obvious  than  others." 
This  Synod  was,  at  its  very  organization,  confronted 
with  two  or  three  serious  difficulties.  In  the  first  place, 
it  was  very  weak  in  point  of  numbers.  It  consisted  of 
only  seven  ordained  ministers,  and  two  probationers, 
while  its  field  was  disproportionately  wide.  In  his  his- 
tory of  this  period  Dr.  Lathan  says :  "For  thirty-five 
years,  a  few  men,  never  more  than  seven,  preached  the 
Gospel,  administered  the  sacrament  and  performed  other 
pastoral  work  in  not  less  than  fifty  societies  or  congre- 
gations, scattered  over  a  tract  of  country  longer  than 
England  and  wider  than  Scotland. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  705 

A  DISTINCTION  WITHOUT  DIFFERENCE. 

In  the  second  place,  about  the  time  of  its  organization, 
at  the  instance  of  two  disaffected  members  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, an  Associate  Presbytery  was  organized  in  the 
same  territory,  and  in  fact  dividing  a  number  of  the 
congregations.  The  dift'erence  between  these  two  bodies 
was  not  more  than  the  difference  between  Shibboleth  and 
Sibboleth,  and  yet  instead  of  striving  together,  instead  of 
standing  shoulder  to  shoulder,  instead  of  locking  their 
shields  and  presenting  an  unbroken  front  to  the  common 
foe.  they  proved  bitter  rivals  and  threatened  to  bite  and 
devour  one  and  another. 

COMMUNION  AND  PSALMODY. 

In  the  third  place,  the  distinctive  features  of  this  in- 
fant body  were  singularly  unpopular.  These  related  to 
the  subject  of  Communion,  (sacramental  communion,) 
and  Psalmody.  As  regards  the  first  of  these,  looking  at 
it  from  this  distance,  the  practice  of  the  church  seems 
to  have  been  stricter  or  more  conservative  than  its  stan- 
dards. In  fact  to  one  of  the  present  generation  it  is  not 
easy  to  see  how  our  fathers  got  "close"  or  what  they 
call  "regulated"  or  "restricted,"  or  "occasional"  commun- 
ion out  of  the  xxvi.  chapter  of  the  Westminster  Con- 
fession of  Faith."  The  position  and  the  practice  of  the 
church  on  this  subject  have  been  materially  mollified  in 
recent  years.  As  regards  the  second,  while  it  is  con- 
ceded that  the  design  or  purpose  of  this  service  does  not 
call  for  a  discussion  of  the  subject  of  Psalmody,  and 
while  any  discussion  of  it  would  be  superfluous,  or  a 
work  of  supererrogation,  after  the  splendid  presentation, 
of  it  last  evening,  still,  as  bearing  upon  that  which  is  the 
main  object  of  this  exercise,  we  may  be  permitted  to 
mention  briefly  two  or  three  things  in  relation  to  it.  In 
the  first  place,  then,  the  position  of  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  Church  as  regards  this  matter,  is 
45 


7o6 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


substantially  the  same  as  that  of  the  Westminster  As- 
sembly, whose  standards  it  accepted.  It  is  substantially 
the  same  as  that  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  from  which 
this  in  common  with  other  Presbyterian  churches,  it  de- 
rived its  origin.  It  is  substantially,  if  not  identically,  the 
same  as  that  of  all  the  Presbyterian  churches  of  this 
country,  up  until  about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth 
century. 

STANDING  FOR  THE  SCRIPTURAL  PSALMODY. 

About  that  time  the  question  of  incorporating  the 
imitation  of  the  Psalms  by  Dr.  Isaac  Watts  in  the  autho- 
rized Psalmody  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  was  intro- 
duced into  the  General  Assembly  of  that  body;  and 
after  an  agitation  extending,  according  to  Dr.  Lathan, 
over  a  period  of  forty  years,  received  the  endorsement  of 
that  body.  A  little  later,  in  1802,  the  hymns  of  the  same' 
author,  received  the  sanction  of  the  same  body 
and  very  soon,  (as  was  most  natural  and  indeed 
inevitable,)  the  pious  effusions  of  a  great  many  other 
writers  were  accorded  a  place  in  their  book  of  praise. 
The  result  of  all  was  that  the  songs  of  inspiration  were 
practically  displaced,  insomuch  that  now  there  is  scarce- 
ly trace  of  them  to  be  found  in  the  books  of  praise  used 
by  that  church,  and  to-day  very  many  excellent  Christian 
people  in  this  Southern  country  do  not  so  much  as  know 
that  there  is  such  a  thing  as  a  metrical  version  of  the 
"Book  of  Psalms."  If,  then,  it  be  true  that  this  book 
was  given  of  God  to  the  church  as  a  manuel  of  praise, 
as  writers  without  distinction  of  name  or  sect  afifirm,  and 
if  it  be  true  that  these  songs  are  divinely  adapted  to  the 
purpose,  as  is  of  necessity  involved  in  the  fact  that  they 
were  given  of  God  for  this  purpose ;  and  if  it  be  true 
that  they  were  designed  to  be  used  by  the  church  in  all 
ages,  as  is  also  conceded  by  the  writers  referred  to.  then 
the  Associate  Reformed  Church  is  abundantly  justified 
in  declining  all  overtures,  however  tempting,  from  other 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


707 


Christian  bodies  which  involve  a  compromise  (which  in 
this  case  means  a  surrender)  of  the  principle  involved. 
And  when  we  consider  the  pressure  that  has  been 
brought  to  bear  on  this  little  church,  (and  we  refer  now 
only  to  the  pressure  of  example)  the  example  of  the  many, 
the  example  of  the  strong,  the  example  of  the  influen- 
tial, of  the  pious  and  learned,  can  we  fail  to  see  the  hand 
of  God  in  the  fact  that  this  little  body  has,  for  the 
hundred  years  of  its  existence,  stood  firmly  by  the 
Scripture  doctrine  and  practice,  and  so  has  preserved 
and  still  preserves  from  complete  disuse  and  dishonor 
(in  this  Southern  country)  a  Psalmody  given  of  God, 
inspired  by  His  spirit,  sung  by  His  Saints  under  the  for- 
mer economy,  used  by  our  Saviour  himself  and  His 
Apostles  in  what  we  may  call  the  transition  period,  and 
has  been  the  inspiration  of  confessors  and  martyrs  of 
every  age  and  country,  and  especially  of  the  Covenanters 
of  Scotland,  whose  children  we  are,  whose  blood  flows 
in  our  veins  and  whose  unfaltering  defence  of  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints  we  recognize  as  our  most 
precious  earthly  heritage. 

THE  FALSE  CRY  OF  "BIGOTRY." 

It  is  not  pleasant  to  be  singular.  It  is  not  easy  to  en- 
dure the  odium  of  even  implied  narrowness  and  illiberal- 
ity  and  exclusiveness,  not  to  say  bigotry.  Indeed,  not 
a  few  of  our  brethren  have  found  the  pressure  too  great 
to  be  resisted  and  they  have  sought  in  other  communions 
a  liberty  which  they  could  not  find  in  their  own.  But  of 
these  brethren  it  is  safe  to  say  (and  we  say  it  in  the 
spirit  of  utmost  kindness)  that  whatever  their  principles 
may  be,  their  practice  is  just  as  narrow  and  illiberal  and 
exclusive  as  it  was  before.  The  only  difference  is  that 
then  they  used,  and  used  exclusively,  an  insjMred  Psalm- 
ody in  the  worship  of  God,  and  now  they  use,  and  use 
just  as  exclusively,  an  uninspired.  One  thing  more,  it 
may  be  permitted  us  to  say  in  this  connection :     To  all 


7o8  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

who  love  these  songs  of  Zion,  venerable  for  their  antiq- 
uity, sacred  from  their  association  and  bearing  the  seal 
of  the  Spirit,  it  is  a  matter  of  profound  thanksgiving  to 
God  that  in  the  last  few  years  the  attention  of  the  church 
has  been  attracted  to  them  as  it  had  not  been  for  more 
than  a  century  before.  Now,  would  it  be  rash  to  say, 
or  at  least  to  express  the  earnest  hope,  if  not  the  confi- 
dent expectation,  that  the  child  is  already  born  who 
shall  see  these  songs  of  inspiration  restored  to  their 
proper  place  in  the  worship  of  God,  at  least  in  the  Pres- 
byterian churches  in  our  country  ? 

THE  PATRON  OF  LEARNING. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  has  always  been  the 
ardent  friend  and  patron  of  learning.  Insisting  ripon  an 
educated  ministry,  and  unwilling  to  patronize  any  lite- 
rary institution  then  existing  in  the  South,  the  church 
felt  obliged  to  afford  or  provide  the  facilities  for  an 
education  which  it  demanded,  at  least  of  those  who 
would  enter  her  ministry.  And  it  is  really  pathetic  to 
read  the  record  of  those  early  days  and  to  see  how  their 
desires  and  plans  and  efforts  were  baffled  at  every  step 
by  their  weakness  and  poverty.  At  length  in  1834,  it 
was  resolved  to  establish  a  manual  labor  school  as  the 
best  that  could  be  done  in  existing  circumstances.  But 
while  this  was  the  action  of  the  Synod  it  met  with  little 
favor  at  the  hands  of  the  people  and  nothing  came  of  it. 
The  next  year,  however,  it  was  determined  to  establish 
an  academy  or  high  school  at  Due  West,  S.  C.,  and 
steps  wex^.  at  once  taken  vo  carry  this  resolution  into 
effect.  On  the  first  Mond.\y  of  February,  1836,  the 
doors  of  thi":;  school  was  opened.  That  ripe  scholar  and 
veteran  teacher,  the  Rev.  John  S.  Pressly,  was  placed  at 
its  head.  So  much  was  the  church  encouraged  by  the 
success  of  this  exoerimcnt  that,  when  three  years  later, 
Mr.  Pressly  resigned  his  position,  it  was  determined  to 
extend  the  curriculum  and  'enlarge  the  facultv,  and  out 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  709 

of  the  academy  to  erect  a  college.  The  result  was  Ers- 
kine  College,  certainly  the  first  denominational  insti- 
tution of  its  class  in  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  and, 
as  far  as  we  know,  or  have  been  able  to  learn,  with  a 
single  possible  exception,  the  first  south  of  the  Potomac. 
Thus  it  remained  for  this  little  church,  consisting  at  that 
time  of  only  twenty-one  ordained  ministers  and  scat- 
tered over  so  wide  a  territory,  to  set  the  pace  for  other 
and  older  and  far  stronger  denominations,  in  the  great 
work  of  Christian  education.  And  who  can  tell  what 
influence  the  zeal  and  energy  and  devotion  and  success 
of  this  little  denomination  in  this  matter  may  have  had 
in  the  establishment  of  Furman,  and  W'offord  and  New- 
berry and  other  denominational  institutions  that  are  now 
doing  so  noble  a  work  in  this  most  important  line  ? 

TO  GOD  BE  THE  GLORY. 

Now  shall  we  take  the  credit  of  this  to  ourselves? 
Shall  we  ascribe  it  to  our  fathers?  To  their  fidelity, 
their  zeal,  their  self-denial,  their  self-sacrifice?  Shall 
we  not  rather  recognize  in  all  this  the  hand  of  God  whose 
Kingdom  rules  over  all,  without  Whom  a  sparrow  does 
not  fall  on  the  ground,  and  Who  is  so  often  pleased  to 
choose  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the 
mighty,*  and  to  get  glory  to  His  own  great  name  from 
the  weakness  of  the  instrumentality  employed !  We  do 
not  mean  to  say  that  no  credit  is  due  to  our  fathers. 
We  should  stand  uncovered  in  the  presence  of  their 
memories.  But  while  they  were  the  instruments.  God 
alone  was  the  agent  and  to  Him  be  all  the  glory. 

THE  ENDOWMENT  OF  THE  COLLEGE. 

In  1853  the  need  of  an  endowment  for  the  College 
was  realized  and  recognized,  and  that  prince  of  agents 
for  such  enterprises,  the  Rev.  Dr.  W.  R.  Hemphill,  was 
sent  out  to  solicit  funds  for  this  purpose.  The  result 
was  that  in  a  few  years  an  endowment  fund  of  $75,000 


yio 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


was  raised,  and  the  College  entered  upon  an  era  of  in- 
creased prosperity  and  of  enlarged  usefulness.  Here 
again,  so  far  as  we  know  or  have  been  able  to  learn, 
this  little  denomination  was  a  pioneer,  led  the  way,  at 
least  in  this  Southern  country.  In  1861,  only  a  few 
years  later,  the  war,  (we  need  not  stop  to  characterize 
it  as  the  War  of  the  Secession,  or  as  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion.  Or  as  the  War  between  the  States,  or  as 
the  Civil  War,  etc.,  for  this  generation  at  least, 
it  is  sufficient  to  call  it  The  War,)  burst  upon 
the  country.  With  the  history  of  that  unprecedented 
struggle  we  are  not  at  present  concerned  except  in  so  far 
as  it  affected  the  enterprises  of  the  church,  and  especial- 
ly that  enterprise  of  which  we  are  speaking  now.  Dr. 
Lathan  writing  of  the  College  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
with  characteristic  emphasis  says  "it  was  dead."  If  it 
was  not  dead  it  was  at  least  dormant. 

Its  doors  were  closed,  its  students  were  scattered,  many 
of  them  dead,  victims  of  the  war,  and  its  finances 
wrecked.  Of  the  $75,000  little  more  than  $13,000  re- 
mained. But  no  sooner  had  the  smoke  of  the  conflict 
cleared  away  than  its  doors  were  opened  again  and  its 
exercises  resumed.  Just  how  it  was  sustained  from 
1865  to  1867  is  not  very  clear.  Only  one  thing  is  clear 
— that  some  one  suffered. 

In  1857  a  scheme  was  devised  to  raise  a  temporary 
endowment  to  run  five  years  and  to  get  the  institution  on 
its  feet  again.     This  scheme  was  successfully  executed. 

THE  DEVASTATION  OF  WAR. 

In  1871,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Synod,  held  at  Long 
Cane,  S.  C,  it  was  resolved  to  attempt  a  second  perma- 
nent endowment,  and  the  amount  agreed  on  was  $100,000. 
Here  we  may  well  pause  for  a  moment.  The  action  of 
that  Synod,  or  rather  of  this  Synod  at  that  meeting,  if 
not  sublime,  was  surely  not  less  than  heroic.  There  are 
few   now   living   who   have   any   proper   appreciation   of 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  711 

the  condition  of  things  in  this  whole  Southern  country 
at  that  time.  The  larger  part  of  what  had  constituted 
the  wealth  of  the  country  had  been  swept  away  by  a 
stroke  of  the  pen.  Of  the  remainder  a  large  per  cent, 
had  gone  up  in  fire  and  smoke  and  blackened  chimneys, 
and  charred  ruins,  and  dismantled  homes,  and  abandoned 
farms,  all  over  this  Southern  country  were  the  mute  but 
eloquent  witnesses  of  the  ruthlessness,  not  to  say  the 
savagery,  of  the  war  and  of  the  poverty  of  the  people. 
And  as  respects  the  people  themselves  what  shall  we 
say?  The  males  from  16  to  60,  upon  whom  would  na- 
turally have  devolved  the  arduous  task  upon  which  it 
was  proposed  to  enter,  were  in  large  part,  perhaps  we 
might  say  in  the  larger  part,  in  their  graves,  unmarked, 
nameless  graves  on  far  off  battlefields.  And  our  congre- 
gations were  made  up  mainly  of  gray-haired  men  and 
widowed  mothers  and  orphaned  children.  Besides  this 
let  it  not  be  forgotten  that  w^hat  was  left  of  this  little 
church  was  scattered  from  the  Potomac  to  the  Rio  Grande 
and  lacked  therefore  the  stimulus  which,  in  military  par- 
lance, comes  from  the  touch  of  the  elbow.  And  while 
it  is  true  that  the  war  was  over  and  had  been  for  six 
years,  it  is  also  true  that  this  was  in  the  midst  of  what 
was  then  known  and  of  what  is  still  known,  and  of  what 
will  for  generations  be  known,  as  the  "Reconstruction" 
period — a  period  which  in  its  eft"ects  upon  the  morals  and 
the  finances  of  the  country  was  scarcely  less  disastrous 
than  war  itself.  And  yet  in  the  face  of  all  this  and  more, 
(for  so  far  from  exaggerating  we  have  given  you  only 
some  faint  hints  of  the  situation)  our  fathers  said :  "Let 
us  rise  up  and  build!"  And  they  did  rise  up  and  they 
did  build,  and  while  it  is  true  that  the  $100,000  w'as  not 
realized,  a  sufficient  amount  was  secured  to  meet  the  cur- 
rent expenses  of  the  institution,  economically  adminis- 
tered, and  from  that  day  to  this  it  has  gone  forward 
without  interruption  in  the  prosecution  of  its  benevolent 
and  beneficent  work. 


712  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

Now  shall  we  take  the  credit  of  all  this  to  ourselves? 
Shall  we  ascribe  it  to  our  fathers — to  the  men  of'71 — to 
their  Scotch-Irish  blood —  to  which  so  eloquent  a  tribute 
was  paid  yesterday — to  their  tenacity  of  purpose — to 
their  devotion  to  principle,  or  to  their  faith  in  God  even? 
Shall  we  not  rather  recognize  His  hand  in  all  this  and 
render  to  Him  the  glory  that  is  due?  Who  else  but  He 
could  have  suggested  the  thought  in  the  circumstances ! 
Who  else  but  He  could  have  inspired  the  courage  ?  Who 
else  but  He  could  have  sustained  the  effort  and  crowned 
it  with  such  a  measure  of  success? 

THE  SCHOOL  OF  THE  PROPHETS. 

The  history  of  the  Theological  Seminary  is  intimately 
associated  with  that  of  the  college.  Its  doors  were 
opened  in  1837,  but  from  that  date  until  1869  the  whole 
work  of  conducting  that  institution  was  devolved  upon 
men  who  were  otherwise  fully  employed — the  church 
not  being  able  to  pay  a  separate  salary  for  a  separate 
professor.  As  an  illustration  of  this,  mention  may  be 
made  of  the  fact  that  the  first  professor  of  theology 
was  also  president  of  the  college  and  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Due  West,  and  made  his  living  largely  on  a 
farm.  It  is  matter  of  devout  gratitude  to  God  that  men 
were  fovmd — let  us  express  this  a  little  differently,  let 
the  hand  of  God  be  more  explicitly  recognized — let  us 
say  it  is  matter  of  devout  gratitude  that  God  raised  up 
men  to  meet  this  emergency — men  who  were  willing, 
without  complaint  to  do  double  work  without  additional 
compensation — without  any  adequate  pecuniary  compen- 
sation— men  who,  like  Moses,  had  "respect  unto  the 
recompense  of  the  reward." 

In  1869  the  Rev.  James  Boyce,  D.  D.,  was  made  pro- 
fessor of  theology  and  paid  a  salary  to  give  his  whole 
time  to  the  work.  His  assistants,  however,  without  an 
exception,  were  otherwise  fully  occupied.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  institution  has  been  thus  handicapped  from  the 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  713 

beginning,  it  has,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  rendered  ex- 
cellent service.  The  ministry  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  living  and  the  dead,  nine-tenths 
of  whom  received  their  theological  training  within  its 
walls,  are  its  witnesses.  It  is  a  matter  of  devout  grati- 
tude to  God  that  it  has  now  an  endowment  of  $42,000 
and  ought  to  be  in  position  to  do  more  and  better  work 
than  was  possible  in  the  past. 

It  may  be  thought  and  said  that  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church  was  slow  in  entering  upon  the  work  of 
Foreign  Missions.  And  as  a  matter  of  fact  it  is  true 
that  it  was  not  until  1875  that  this  church  had  a  foreign 
missionary  of  its  own.  But  two  or  three  things  may  be 
said  and  ought  to  be  said  in  explanation,  if  not  in  justi- 
fication of  this  fact.  In  the  first  place  the  demands  of 
the  home  field  taxed  the  energies  of  the  fathers  of  the 
church  to  the  utmost.  In  his  history  of  that  period.  Dr. 
Lathan  says,  "from  1803  to  1840  and  even  later,  it  might 
be  said  that  every  minister  connected  with  the  A.  R.  P. 
Synod  of  the  South,  no  matter  whether  he  were  a  settled 
pastor  or  not,  was  a  missionary.  With  few  exceptions, 
each  made  an  annual  missionary  tour  of  from  three  to 
four  months.  It  should  be  remembered  in  this  connec- 
tion that  the  facilities  for  travel  then  w'ere  not  what  they 
are  now.  There  were  no  railroads,  in  much  of  the  terri- 
tory traversed,  few  wagon  roads.  These  missionary  tours 
were  made  on  horseback  with  wardrobe  and  library  in 
a  pair  of  saddle  bags. 

In  the  second  place,  while,  during  this  period,  this 
church  had  no  foreign  missionary  of  its  own,  it  does  not 
therefore  follow  that  it  was  indififerent  to  this  work.  In 
proof  that  it  was  not,  reference  may  be  made  to  the  fol- 
lowing facts  :  (  a)  That  contributions  were  made  bv  Synod 
to  the  funds  of  other  churches  that  were  engaged  in  the 
work,  (b)  Repeated  efforts  were  made  to  establish  a 
mission  in  a  foreign  field,  especially  in  Liberia,  on  the 
West  coast  of  Africa.     For  a  number  of  vears  this  was 


-14  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

a  cherished  scheme  of  the  church.  A  school  for  training 
colored  men  for  work  in  this  tiekl  was  established  and 
for  a  number  of  years  operated  in  Kentucky  and  four 
boys  were,  for  a  like  period,  supported  in  a  school  in  Li- 
beria, conducted  first  by  Thomas  Ware,  himself  a  negro, 
and  afterwards  by  a  Mr.  Erskine,  a  missionary  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  For  some  reason,  however,  the 
whole  scheme  failed. 

(c)  As  showing  the  interest  of  the  church  in  this 
work  and  the  earnest  desire  to  enter  upon  it  we  may  be 
permitted  to  mention  an  incident  of  which,  so  far  as  is 
known,  there  is  no  record  anywhere,  but  of  which  there 
are  still  a  few  living  witnesses.  The  incident  referred 
to  occurred  at  a  meeting  of  Synod  held  at  Hope- 
well, Maury  County,  Tennessee,  in  1859.  For  some 
years  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  had  been  cal- 
ling for  volunteers  for  the  foreign  field.  These  calls 
meeting  with  no  responses  at  that  meeting,  after  a 
conference  on  that  subject,  in  which  much  interest  was 
manifested,  it  was  resolved  to  nominate  men  for  that 
work  and  a  committee  was  appointed  for  that  purpose. 
At  a  subsequent  session  of  that  meeting  the  committee 
reported  nominating  Dr.  H.  T.  Sloan,  then  pastor  of 
Long  Cane  and  Cedar  Spring  churches  in  Abbeville 
County,  S.  C,  and  Rev.  D.  F.  Haddon,  pastor  of  the  A. 
R.  P.  Churches  in  Laurens  County,  S.  C.  These  brethren 
did  not  feel  called  of  God  at  their  time  of  life  to  leave  the 
field  they  had  respectively  occupied  for  so  many  years  and 
to  enter  upon  a  work  entirely  new.  But  while  nothing  came 
of  this  measure  it  seems  to  show,  and  in  fact  to  set  in  a 
striking  light,  the  animus  of  the  Synod  in  regard  to  this 
matter.  That  was  in  1859.  Soon  the  war  intervened  and 
interrupted  this  as  it  did  so  many  other  enterprises  of 
the  church. 

In  1874,  Miss  Mary  E.  Galloway,  of  Due  West,  S.  C, 
offered  herself  for  this  work  and  was  accepted.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1875,  she  went  out,  the  first  foreign  missionary  of 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  715 

the  A.  R.  P.  Church.  At  the  invitation  of  the  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions  of  the  U.  P.  Church,  she  was  sent  to 
Egypt  and  while  she  hved,  bore  a  part  in  the  noble  work 
which  that  church  was  at  that  time  carrying  on  in  that 
field  and  which  it  is  still  prosecuting  on  an  even  grander 
scale.  In  1879,  it  was  determined  to  establish  an  inde- 
pendent mission.  Mexico  was  selected  as  the  field  and 
Rev.  N.  E.  Pressly  as  the  first  missionary.  In  1880  he 
began  work  in  Tampico  on  the  gulf  coast  of  the  State 
of  Tamaulipas.  Since  then  the  work  has  grown  until 
now  we  have  in  that  field,  Foreign  Missionaries,  male, 
4 ;  female,  5 ;  native  ministers,  6 ;  female  teachers,  native, 
5 ;  principal  stations,  3  ;  out  stations,  ii ;  an  orphanage,  a 
medical  mission ;  a  girl's  school,  a  boy's  training  school, 
designed  especially  to  prepare  young  men  for  the  work 
of  the  ministry;  families,  112;  communicants,  292; 
church  and  school  property,,  $28,200. 

In  the  measure  of  success  which  has  attended  the 
efforts  of  the  church  in  this  direction  and  in  the  marked 
and  happy  effect  of  work  in  the  foreign  field  upon  the 
work  at  home  we  ought,  to-day,  gratefully  to  recognize 
the  hand  of  God,  the  God  of  our  fathers. 

We  would  be  glad  to  speak  of  Home  Missions  and  of 
other  enterprises  of  the  church,  but  this  exercise  is  al- 
ready too  long.  Besides,  surely  enough  has  been  said  to 
justify  the  Synod  in  setting  up  a  stone  at  this  point  in  its 
history  and  in  calling  it  Ebenezer  in  grateful  recognition 
of  His  favor  in  the  past  and  in  the  confident  assurance  of 
His  blessing  in  the  future  and  so  with  the  Psalmist  to 
sing. 

The  Lord  of  us  hath  mindful  been 
And  He  will  bless  us  still. 


7i6 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


The  Heritage  Our  Fathers  Left  Us. 

ADDRESS  BY  REV.  D.  G.  PHILLIPS. 

As  an  organization  our  Synod  is  only  a  hundred  years 
old.  But  a  century  does  not  begin  to  imeasure  the  life 
of  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterianism.  Eighteen  cen- 
turies are  behind  it,  stretching  away  back  to  the  time 
when  the  Apostle  Paul  rocked  its  cradle.  Our  sun  rose 
not  yesterday  nor  here.  "Traced  backward,  its  beams 
gladden  the  dull  Holland  marches,  play  on  the  Alpine 
range,  shimmer  over  the  Black  Forest,  transfigure  the 
mists  of  Scotand,"  and,  struggling  through  the  smoke 
of  the  martyr  fires,  come  to  their  rising  in  the  land  of 
the  city  of  the  great  King.  For  the  Apostles  went  up 
to  Presbytery  at  Jerusalem. 

We  are  one  of  a  large  family.  We  are  the  children  of 
Knox  and  Calvin  and  Augustine  and  Paul.  We  claim  a 
child's  part  of  all  that  Presbyterianism  has  clone  for  the 
world.  "Our  fathers  fought  beside  Douglass  and  Cargill 
in  the  Upper  Clydesdale."  The  Westminister  Confes- 
sion of  Faith,  standing  as  it  does  for  the  sovereignty  of 
Jehovah  in  the  heavens  and  the  kingship  of  Jesus  Christ 
in  his  church,  and  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
standing  for  constitutional  liberties — a  free  church,  a  free 
conscience,  a  free  press —  the  most  transforming  deli- 
verances, the  one  in  the  religion,  the  other  in  the  civil 
realm,  that  ever  came  from  the  brain  of  man — together 
with  the  vital  relation,  the  principles  for  which  they 
stand  have  sustained  to  all  that's  best  in  human  progress, 
help  to  make  up  our  patrimony.  But,  while  we  relin- 
quish our  claim  to  no  part  of  it,  of  necessity  to-day  we  look 
at  the  heritage,  not  of  the  whole  Presbyterian  family^  but 
only  of  our  own  little  household.  In  the  providence  of 
God  the  time  came  when  our  fathers  had  to  part  company 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


717 


with  their  brethren.  Family  fusses  are  always  deplora- 
ble, but  God  himself  demands  the  disruption  of  that 
family  in  which  there  is  infidelity.  Christ  sets  a  man  at 
variance  with  his  own  father.  The  world  calls  us  Sece- 
ders.  But  the  name  is  not  true  to  the  facts.  Our 
fathers  did  not  secede.  With  all  charity,  yet  in  all"  can- 
dor, let  it  be  said,  our  brethren  turned  aside,  they  heard 
the  seductive  voice  of  expediency.  They  began  to  give 
up  some  things  that  were  essential.  ( )ur  fathers  remon- 
strated, then  protested,  and  at  last,  rather  than  sacrifice 
essential  truth,,  rather  than  surrender  the  crown  rights 
of  King  Jesus,  they  dared  to  stand  alone.  The  facts 
are  on  our  side,  Scripturally  and  historically  our  position 
is  unassailable.  Dr.  Taylor  tells  of  a  little  church  whose 
members  went  on  excommunicating  each  other  for  any 
little  thing  till  there  was  left  as  a  renuiant  only  a  man 
and  his  wife.  "Well,"  said  some  one  to  her,  "you  must 
have  got  a  pure  church  at  last?"  "Deed,"  was  the  an- 
swer, with  inimitable  self  complacency,  "deed,  and  I'm 
not  so  sure  of  John."  With  greater  confidence  than  the 
old  Scotch  woman,  we  can  take  our  brethren  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  by  the  hand,  and  with  kind- 
liest charity,  yet  in  truth  claim  to  be  the  only  link  that 
binds  the  churches  of  this  country  back  in  all  respects  to 
the  simple,  sincere  Scriptural  worship  of  the  days  of  the 
Apostle.  A  heritage  is  material  or  moral.  Solomon 
say,  "A  good  man  leaveth  an  inheritance  to  his  children." 
That  can't  mean  stocks  and  bonds  only,  for  the  Scripture 
is  universal  in  its  aj^plication,  and  many  a  good  man  dies 
and  leaves  no  fortune  behind  him.  His  bequest  is  his 
goodness,  his  example,  his  influence,  his  fund  of  prayer 
laid  up.  his  faith  in  God.  In  a  material  way  our  fathers 
left  us  but  little — no  stately  church  edifices,  no  mission- 
ary nor  charitable  foundations,  no  splendid  institutions, 
no  vested  endowments  of  any  sort.  Rut  morally  they 
left  us  rich  indeed.  Thev  laid  the  foundation  wisely  and 
well.      If  we  are  careful  to  build  upon  it,  not  wood  or 


7i8 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


hay  or  stubble,  but  gold  and  silver  and  precious  stones, 
our  ecclesiastical  house  will  stand  foursquare  to  every 
storm  that  blows  till  the  church  militant  becomes  the 
church  triumphant.  They  set  our  course,  and  if  we  but 
hold  it,  we  will  lead  our  share  of  God's  sacramental  host 
into  that  new  heaven  and  new  earth  wherein  dwelleth 
righteousness. 

I.  They  left  us  a  record  of  missionary  zeal  that  is 
truly  apostolic.  With  a  territory  stretching  from  the  gulf 
to  the  mountains  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Missis- 
sippi, two,  three  times  as  large  as  that  traversed  by  Paul 
in  his  missionary  journeys,  and  with  only  seven  ordained 
ministers  to  cover  it,  they  saddled  their  horses,  and  with 
wardrobe  and  library  in  their  saddle  bags,  they  rode  out 
for  God  and  humanity.  Like  Abraham,  they  went  out 
not  knowing  whither  they  went,  save  only  that  God  had 
called  them  to  plant  his  gospel  in  the  wilds  of  this  South- 
land. They  left  their  own  congregations  worshipping 
in  log  houses.  They  left  home  and  family,  swam 
rivers,  slept  with  Indians,  endured  all  sorts  of  hard- 
ships, preached  day  and  night  and  came  up  to 
Synod  after  months  of  service  and  privation  with  a 
petty  bill  of  a  few  dollars  for  expenses.  And  all  the 
while  they  themselves  were  giving  and  teaching  their 
congregations  to  give  money  through  the  boards  of  other 
churches  for  the  evangelization  of  the  heathen.  It's  a 
record  worthy  to  go  alongside  that  of  Brainard  among 
the  Indians,  or  Paton  in  the  New  Hebrides.  Are  we  the 
sons  of  our  fathers?  All  over  the  South  are  places 
where  once  flourished  A.  R.  P.  congregations  that  are 
long  since  dead.  We  have  not  held  the  territory 
claimed  by  our  fathers.  It  is  for  lack  of  zeal  or 
fear  of  sacrifice.  Of  all  men,  where  we  relax  in 
missionary  effort  at  home  or  abroad,  we  are  untrue  to  a 
noble  example,  we  are  recreant  to  a  sacred  trust,  we  are 
unworthy  of  a  birthright  bought  with  much  sacrifice  and 
prayer. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  719 

2.     They  taught  us  the  proper  estimate  of  educa- 
tion.    When  at  last  the  siege  of  Leyden  was  raised,  the 
men  who  had  held  the  city  so  nobly  w^ere  in  a  sad  condi- 
tion.    Their  estates  were  wasted.     Their  fortunes  were 
ruined.     Their  homes  were  battered  dowai  and  burned 
ivith  fire.     Their   fair  city  was  sadly  dismantled.     The 
electors  desired  to  help  them.     And  when  they  asked, 
"what   shall   w^c   do   for   you,"    with   one   voice   the   an- 
swer came  "give  us  a  university."     That  was  the  spirit 
of  our  fathers.    Loyalty  to  truth  as  they  saw  it  demanded 
a  college  of  their  own.     ^Mountains  of  difficulty  stood  in 
their  way.     But  they  dared  and  they  succeeded.     Above 
the  front  door  in  the  wall  of  the  old  building  that  was 
burned  was  a  marble  slab  with  the  inscription  in  Hebrew^ 
"The   fear  of  the   Lord   is   the  beginning   of   wisdom." 
They  would  plant  no  garden  with  the  tree  of  knowledge 
and  leave  out  the  tree  of  life.     And  on  the  sacred  walls 
of  that  college  the  smile  of  God  has  gleamed  like  the  light 
of  the  morning.    "Stand  fast  Crag  Ellochiel"     O,  Ers- 
kine,  Erskine,  in  the  name  of  thy  grateful  sons,  "if  we 
forget  thee,  may  our  right  hands  forget  their  cunning 
and  may  our  tongues  cleave  to  the  roof  of  our  mouth." 
3.     They  left  us  a  perfect  Bible,  not  one  line  of  it  dis- 
credited.     There   were   no   higher   critics   among   them. 
Not   from   want  of   scholarship.     They   who   met   them 
in    the    hall    of   debate    had    no    cause    to    despise    their 
attainments .    Not    from    lack    of    progressiveness    nor 
aggressiveness.      In     most     things     they     were     ahead 
of    their    age.     They    believed    in    the    divine    super- 
intendence of  every  word  of  both  the  Old  and  the  New 
Testament,  so  that  the  Scriptures  are  preserved  from  all 
error.     They  knew  that,  there  was  no  middle  groimd  be- 
tween complete  vcrljal  inspiration  and  a  doubtful  Scrip- 
ture.    "If  prophets  mixed  their  thoughts  with  God's,  if 
Apostles  used  false  arguments,  if  Christ  himself  had  a 
superstitious    regard    for    Scripture    through    ignorance, 
then  we  can't  tell  whv  Plato  is  not  as  good  a  teacher  as 


720  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

Paul,"  and  poor,  needy  man  is  left  in  the  darkness  of 
doubt.  They  saw  that  the  maxim,  much  overworked  to- 
day, that  we  must  treat  the  Bible  as  we  treat  any  other 
book  was  false  because  it  denies  the  Bible's  claim  to 
reverence  and  obedience,  and  because  that  spirit  is 
the  very  essence  of  proud  unbelief.  They  did  not 
handle  lightly  the  sacred  page.  They  did  not 
"toss  it  into  a  crucible,  nor  mix  it  with  acids, 
nor  dissect  it  with  knives.  They  felt  that  it  had 
a  holy  character  and  must  be  examined  with  the 
eye  of  faith  and  not  with  the  hand  of  skepticism.  They 
took  their  stand  by  the  side  of  their  Divine  Redeemer 
and  declared  that  every  jot  and  every  tittle  of  the  Scrip- 
tures is  truth."  And  their  stamp  is  on  their  church  to- 
day. Our  ministers  make  no  new  discoveries  in  theology. 
They  write  no  theses  on  the  recession  of  inspiration. 
They  preach  no  doubts  and  half  truths  and  negatives. 
Their  telescopes  sweep  no  fields  beyond  the  limits  of 
Divine  Revelation.  There  has  never  been  a  heresy  trial  in 
the  hundred  years  of  our  history.  Thank  God,  none  of  us 
covet  that  grade  of  scholarship  which  proclaims  the  Bible 
a  fraud,  and  declares  that  our  Lord  and  his  Apostles  were 
deceived.  We  have  no  disposition  to  assume  a  flippant 
air  in  our  treatment  of  the  sacred  page.  We  fling  from 
us  all  such  methods  as  vulgar  and  profane.  And  God 
grant  that  this  "devout  attitude,  which  is  not  worship  of 
the  Book,  but  worship  of  the  Divine  Author  of  the 
Book,"  may  ever  mark  the  church  our  fathers  left  us. 

4.  The}'  taught  us  where  to  put  the  emphasis  in 
church  work.  They  insisted  on  an  educated  ministry. 
If  ever  a  set  of  men  had  an  excuse  for  laying  hands  on 
men  unprepared  or  half  prepared  and  thrusting  them 
into  the  ministry,  they  had.  But  they  kept  the  bars  up. 
In  their  sorest  need  they  stood  out  for  preachers  who 
could  read  the  Scriptures  in  their  original  tongues  and 
thus  draw  their  pulpit  teachings  from  the  very  fountain 
head   of   revelation.     They   shrunk   from   proclaiming  a 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


721 


loose  gospel.  They  feared  that  even  the  honest  efforts 
of  ignorant  men  might  lead  to  dangerous  error  in  be- 
lief and  practice.  And  they  had  at  one  time,  I  suppose, 
the  broadest  Theological  Seminary  the  world  ever  saw. 
There  were  only  two  professors  but  they  were  300  miles 
apart.  It  would  have  taken  a  student  a  week  to  go  from 
one  recitation  to  the  next.  They  climbed  over  all  bar- 
riers to  educate  their  preachers.  And  that  careful  con- 
servatism preserved  their  church  from  human  philosophy 
on  the  one  side  and  human  impulsive  excitements  on  the 
other.  They  were  called  narrow  and  bigoted.  But  those 
who  criticised  have  gradually  come  round  to  the  same 
policy.  In  1810,  because  they  did  not  think  a  classical 
education  essential  to  the  ministry,  a  company  of  people 
went  to  themselves,  taking  the  name  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterians. Now  that  people  have  two  seminaries  and 
five  universities.  The  Methodists  did  not  appreciate  the 
importance  of  ministerial  education.  When  that  church 
was  44  years  old  in  this  country,  they  had  no  seminary 
and  only  two  small  colleges.  But  they  learned  better. 
And  now  they  are  everywhere  the  patrons  of  learning 
and  have  more  colleges  and  more  students  in  them  than 
any  other  Christian  denomination.  Not  only  must  their 
preachers  be  educated,  but  our  fathers  made  much  of  the 
sermon— too  much  we  think  to-day.  The}'  put  in  nearly 
the  whole  Sabbath  on  two  of  them.  They  never  seemed 
to  believe  that  God  could  use  a  short  sermon  or  hear  a 
short  prayer.  They  exalted  the  semion  as  the  leading 
part  of  worship.  They  emphasized  the  teaching  function 
of  the  preacher.  Instruction  and  edification  character- 
ized their  pulpits.  They  gave  no  place  to  solos  and 
quartettes  and  liturgies  and  spectacular  forms.  They 
indoctrinated  the  people.  They  gave  them  the  funda- 
mental doctrines  good  and. strong  and  often.  They  ca- 
techised from  house  to  house.  They  even  dared  to  put 
off  applicants  for  church  membership,  whose  knowl- 
edge was  defective.  Their  worship  may  have  been 
46 


722  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

deticient  in  beautiful  ceremonies  and  in  the  enthu- 
siasm which  warms  the  feeHngs,  but  it  steadily  made 
its  impression  on  the  mind  and  appealed  to  the 
conviction  rather  than  to  the  external  causes.  And 
it  tells  on  their  congregations  to-day.  These  travel- 
ling tent  preachers  that  set  forth  strange  doctrines  make 
but  little  headway  in  a  distinctively  A.  R.  P.  community 
Our  people  do  not  run  very  much  after  these  fads  and 
issues.  They  may  come  short  in  artistic  sensibility  and 
the  expression  of  passionate  fervor,  but  as  a  class  they  are 
well  developed  in  the  substantial  elements  of  intellect, 
judgment  and  conscience.  They  have  been  trained  to 
think.  They  know  the  value  of  facts.  They  can  general- 
ly give  a  reason  for  the  hope  that  is  in  them.  They  can't 
go  through  a  service  according  to  the  book  of  common 
prayer,  but  they  can  tell  you  in  language,  exact  and 
plain,  what  is  the  chief  end  of  man,  and  repentance  unto 
life  and  saving  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  They  are  not  much 
to  shout,  but  they  know  how  to  do  justly,  show  mercy 
and  walk  humbly  with  their  God.  With  them  the  end 
of  worship  is  not  culture,  but  character. 

5.  They  left  us  a  pattern  of  the  ideal  Christian  home. 
Since  the  days  of  Israel,  outside  the  land  of  Scotland,  there 
have  never  been  purer,  sweeter,  more  heaven-like  homes 
than  those  of  our  fathers.  They  were  plain  and  simple, 
with  uncovered  floors  and  bare  walls  and  home-made 
furniture,  many  of  them.  But  there  was  a  wide  hearth- 
stone and  a  general  welcome  and  a  Christian  hospitality 
and  an  atmosphere  of  godliness.  Their  doors  were  as 
wide  open  to  the  stranger  and  wayfarer  as  the  gate  of 
heaven  to  a  penitent  sinner.  Parents  stood  to  their  chil- 
dren in  the  place  of  God — lawgiver,  lover,  protector,  pro- 
vider and  controller.  The  father  was  prophet,  priest  and 
king.  The  mother  reigned  as  queen  in  her  own  family 
circle  and  was  content.  Marital  infidelity  cast  no  shadows. 
Divorce  was  a  thing  unknown.  Unholy  social  pleasures 
were    barred    out.      Parents    commanded    reverence    and 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


J'^l 


children  learned  subjection  and  yielded  obedience.  The 
children  were  taught  how  to  get  on  in  the  world,  but  of- 
ten their  little  eyes  of  faith  were  lovingly  pointed  away 
to  Salem's  reigning  king.  They  well  knew  that  they  had 
been  solemnly  dedicated  to  God,  and  that  in  an  inner 
chamber  they  were  daily  taken  in  the  arms  of  parents' 
faith  and  borne  to  the  mercy  seat  in  prayer. 

There  was  plain  living  and  economy  and  toil  and  de- 
nial, but  somehow  the  clouds  that  gathered  didn't  hide 
the  sun,  the  sorrow  that  came  only  softened  the  soul,  and 
the  tears  that  flowed  were  always  spanned  by  a  rainbow 
of  promise.  The  poet  drew  their  picture  when  he  wrote 
"The  Cotter's  Saturday  Nights." 

().  They  taught  us  how  to  keep  the  Sabbath.  It  is 
granted  on  all  hands  that  they  were  more  careful  than 
any  of  the  other  churches  about  Sabbath  observance.  I'm 
not  old,  but  I  can  recall  distinctly  the  horror  that  came 
over  me  when  one  Sabbath  morning  as  a  boy  I  saw  a 
man  in  the  crowd  at  the  door  of  old  Ebenezer  church 
whittling  a  stick  with  his  knife.  I  half  expected  light- 
ning to  strike  him.  And  to  this  good  day  I'm  afraid  to 
whistle  on  Sabbath.  The  world  calls  that  narrow.  But 
our  fathers  were  nearer  right  than  wrong.  You  can't 
well  be  too  strict  in  Sabbath  keeping.  When  one  is  hurt 
by  too  rigid  a  Sabbath,  a  thousand  are  ruined  by  a  loose 
one.  A  man's  attitude  toward  the  Sabbath  is  a  fair  test 
of  his  s])iritual  character.  If  he  is  loose  on  the  Sabbath. 
he  is  lacking  in  vital  godliness,  his  convictions  are  shal- 
low, he  is  not  rooted  and  grounded  in  love.  If  he  honors 
the  Sabbath  he  is  still  anchored  to  God.  Letting  down  on 
the  Sabbath  is  like  the  letting  out  of  water.  Once  you 
begin  there  is  no  stopping  jilace  till  the  sacredness  of  the 
day  is  utterly  gone.  You  hallow  it  in  your  heart  as  God's 
own  hc^liday,  on  which  we  are  not  to  do  our  own  work 
nor  find  our  own  pleasures  nor  speak  our  own  words 
nor  think  our  own  thoughts,  or  you  lose  reverence  for 
it  altoiiether.     And  the  transition  is  not  slow.     Twentv 


^24  CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 

years  ago  Christian  people  would  have  been  horrified  if 
some  one  had  prophesied  that  the  theaters  would  be  in 
full  blast  and  great  crowds  would  flock  to  see  baseball 
games  in  all  our  cities  on  Sabbath.  But  that  is  what  has 
come  to  pass.  If  it  had  been  prophesied  twenty  years 
ago  that  every  Sabbath  day  the  railroad  trains  would  be 
crowded  to  the  very  doors  with  men  and  women  and 
children  going  off  to  a  picnic,  Christians  would  have  said 
"impossible."  But  it  is  going  on  to-day  all  over  this  coun- 
try. Our  fathers  were  right.  They  saw  the  danger. 
They  knew  the  tendency.  They  taught  us  to  stand  like  a 
stone  wall  against  even  the  slightest  infringement  of  the 
spirit  of  the  Sabbath.  They  so  stood  in  their  day,  there- 
by leaving  us  a  blessed  Sabbath.  And  from  their  graves 
they  call  on  us  to  follow  their  example.  Only  so  can  we 
transmit  a  holy  Sabbath  to  our  children. 

7.  They  left  us  a  splendid  example  of  loyalty  to  con- 
viction. Henry  Grady  said  in  his  Boston  speech  that  the 
grandest  thing  in  political  life  of  this  country  since  the 
civil  war  was  those  7,000  Democrats  of  Vermont,  who, 
year  after  year,  went  to  the  polls  and  cast  their  ballots, 
knowing  when  they  did  it  that  they  were  in  a  hopeless 
minority.  The  sublimest  spectacle  in  the  ecclesiastical 
life  of  the  past  century  has  been  the  little  handful  of 
Psalm  singing  Presbyterians  in  the  South  testifying  to 
essential  truth  as  they  saw  it.  Even  if  the  principle  for 
which  they  have  stood  be  wrong,  their  loyalty  to  convic- 
tion challenges  the  admiration  of  the  world.  But  that 
principle  is  not  wrong.  It  is  as  old  as  the  second  com- 
mandment. It  is  as  clearly  revealed  in  the  Scriptures  as 
the  letters  cut  by  God's  own  hand  showed  in  the  two 
tables  of  stone  delivered  to  Moses  on  the  Mount.  It 
is  as  invincible  and  as  imperishable  as  eternal  truth  it- 
self. The  world  don't  think  so.  The  crowd  is  going 
the  other  way.  With  the  cumulative  momentum  of  years 
and  custom  and  numbers  and  wealth,  the  current  sweeps 
on  broader  and  stronger  each  year.     For  a  hundred  years 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  725 

now  the  church  of  our  fathers  has  stood  alone  in  this 
Southland  and  lovingly  but  courageously  protested.  It 
has  been  at  great  personal  cost.  Would  it  be  be  wrong 
to  say  it  has  been  at  the  cost  of  everything  but  honor? 
It  is  not  a  pleasant  thing  to  be  regarded  as  narrow  and 
bigoted  and  little.  It  is  very  uncomfortable  as  you  mingle 
with  brethren  of  large  denominations  to  feel  that  you  are 
looked  on  as  representing  a  very  small  old-fashioned 
concern  and  to  be  sized  up  accordingly.  It  is  not  an 
easy  matter  to  see  place  and  position  and  ease  and  afflu- 
ence easily  within  your  grasp,  and  yet  resolutely  turn 
away  from  it  because  conscience  says  you  must.  It  takes 
moral  heroism  of  the  grandest  type  to  tie  to  a  seemingly 
losing  cause,  and  give  your  life,  your  best,  your  all  to 
an  apparently  hopeless  purpose.  Our  fathers  did  it  all 
their  days.  Not  of  necessity,  but  of  choice.  Not  for 
want  of  aml)iti()n  nor  lack  of  fitness,  but  from  a  sense  of 
duty.  They  were  offered  good  places  in  other  commu- 
nions. They  could  have  filled  them.  Now  and  then  the 
temptation  was  more  than  he  could  bear,  or  new  light 
come  with  the  new  call,  and  a  brother  left  them.  But 
for  the  most  of  them  there  was  only  one  course.  They 
did  not,  nor  do  their  sons,  sit  in  judgment  on  the  con- 
science of  other  men.  But  the  vision  of  God  that  came  to 
them  revealed  certain  truths  as  essential,  and  they  were 
not  disobedient  to  the  vision.  "To  know  God,  to  serve 
Him,  to  enjoy  Him,  was  with  them  the  great  end  of  ex- 
istence. They  recognized  no  title  to  superiority  but  His 
favor,  and  confident  of  that  favor,  they  despised  all  tlie 
dignities  of  earth."  They  were  not  registered  among 
the  great  here,  but  their  names  were  written  in  the 
Lamb's  Book  of  Life.  They  had  no  retinue  of  servants 
here,  but  legions  of  angels  ministered  to  them.  Their 
houses  here  were  humble  and  plain,  but  up  yonder  they 
had  palaces  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens 
W'hat  mattered  to  them  "the  favor  of  the  rich  and  the 
elo(|uent.  the  nobles  and  the  priests  of  earth?    They  were 


726 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES. 


rich  in  a  more  precious  treasure,  eloquent  in  a  sublime 
language,  noble  by  right  of  an  earlier  creation  and  priests 
by  the  imposition  of  a  mightier  hand."  The  explanation 
of  their  stern  loyalty  to  principles  lay  in  what  John 
Adams  wrote  to  his  son  :  "Your  conscience  is  the  minis- 
ter plenipotentiary  of  God  Almighty  in  your  breast.  See 
to  it  that  this  minister  never  negotiates  in  vain.  Attend 
to  him  in  opposition  to  all  the  courts  in  the  world." 

8.  They  left  us  a  worthy  example  of  faith  in  God. 
Without  prestige  or  money  or  influence  or  schools  or 
railroads  they  set  out  on  horseback,  only  seven  strong, 
to  witness  for  Christ  in  all  that  vast  tract  of  country 
south  of  the  Ohio  River.  What  a  vast  undertaking  I 
The  worldling  would  call  it  folly  in  the  exttreme.  But 
it  was  faith.  These  men  had  seen  God.  They  had  heard 
his  call.  And,  leaving  results  with  him,  they  obeyed. 
The  line  has  always  been  thin.  At  no  time  has  there  been 
nnich  of  that  strength  that  comes  from  elbow  touch  with 
a  marching  comrade.  The  sentinels  have  rarely  been  in 
hailing  distant  of  each  other.  It  has  been  mostly  a  lone 
picket  away  ofif  on  some  outpost ;  coming  up,  some  of 
them  once  each  year,  many  of  them  not  oftener  than  once 
in  five  years,  to  the  church  courts,  by  fellowship  with 
brethren  to  warm  the  heart  and  strengthen  the  alTection, 
and  quicken  the  enthusiasm,  then  going  back  cheerfully 
to  their  stations  and  with  a  love  that  hoped  all  things, 
bore  all  things  and  endured  all  things  to  live  and  labor  and 
die  at  their  post.  To  their  eternal  credit  be  it  said,  they 
were  faithful.  They  uttered  no  uncertain  sound.  In 
the  entire  century  of  our  history  in  the  hands  of  only 
two  or  three  has  the  banner  of  A.  R.  Presbyterianism 
touched  the  earth  or  gathered  a  stain.  How  well  they 
succeeded  eternity  alone  can  reveal.  Their  record  is  on 
high.  All  we  can  say  is  they  were  faithful.  If  measured 
by  visible  results  their  work  has  been  a  comparative  fail- 
ure. The  large  denominations  have  far  outstrip])ed  us. 
But  numbers  don't  always  count  a  majority.     Judged  by 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES.  727 

that  standard  Christ  was  a  faikire.  Thank  God,  in  the 
searching-  Hght  of  the  great  white  throne  the  faithful  are 
the  successful. 

"They  only  the  victory  win  wlio  liave  fought  the  good  fight  and 

have  vanquished  the  demon  that  tempts  us  within, 
Who    have    held    to    their    faith,    unseduced    by    the    prize    the 

world    holds    on    high. 
Who  liave  (hired  for  a  liigh  cause  to  suffer,  resist,  fight,  if  need 

be  to  die. 
Speak,   history,   who   are   life's   victors 
Unroll  thy  long  annals  and  say — 
Are  they  those  whom  the  world  calls  the  victors?     Who  won  the 

success  of  a  day? 
The  martyrs?  or  Nero?     The  Spartans  who  fell  at  Thermopylae's 

tryst?  or  the  Persians  and  Xerxes?  Pilate  or  Christ?" 

And  now  hrelliren,  what  means  this  retrospect?  Why 
this  taking-  stock  of  the  past?  To  the  world  this  time  of 
solemn,  thrilling  memories,  of  fraternal  reunion,  may 
mean  little.  To  you  and  me  it  means  much.  "The  far 
distant  past  is  in  it.  The  far  distant  future  is  in  it.  It  is 
a  chamber  of  echoes  from  years  long  agone  and  a  niany 
varied  prophecy  of  years  yet  to  come."  This  is  a  day  to 
lift  our  hallelujahs  to  heaven  for  that  which  is  past,  but 
it  is  also  a  day  in  which  to  gird  our  loins  and  tighten  the 
grip  upon  our  swords  for  that  which  is  to  come.  Some- 
times recently  the  direct  question  has  been  put  to  me  by 
some  of  our  more  thoughtful,  progressive  young  men, 
"What  is  the  future  of  our  church?"  I  am  neither  a 
prophet  nor  the  son  of  a  prophet,  btit  this  much  I  know. 
The  past,  thank  God,  is  worthy,  and  is  safe.  Under  God, 
the  future  depends  on  you  and  me.  The  responsibility 
is  on  us  to  hand  that  past  over  to  the  future,  not  only 
unbctraycd,  undamaged,  uncrippled,  but  nerved  up  to  a 
higher  and  holier  tension,  fervid,  with  a  warmer  zeal, 
purposes  more  vigorously  girded,  momentiun   harder  to 


728  CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES. 

be  resisted,  and  all  baptized  with  tears  of  gratitude,  en- 
veloped in  clouds  of  prayer  and  sanctified  by  a  consecra- 
tion higher  and  more  entire.  One  brother  who  was  work- 
ing one  of  our  city  missions  said,  "the  little  chapel  around 
the  corner  has  no  chance  against  the  pipe  organ,  the  paid 
choir  and  the  popular  service  of  the  large  churches." 
What  of  it  ?  Are  we  seeking  to  please  men  or  God  ?  Are 
we  standing  for  truth  or  bidding  for  popular  favor? 
Candidly,  I  never  hope  to  see  ours  one  of  the  large 
churches.  You  can't  make  the  narrow  way  popular. 
But  there  will  be  a  church  governed  b}^  elders  and  sing- 
ing David's  Psalms  as  long  as  truth  lives  and  the  con- 
sciences of  men  obey  it.  On  this  day  of  retrospect  and 
prospect  we  lower  no  flag,  we  suggest  no  compromise, 
we  face  the  future  nothing  daunted.  Why  should  we 
not?  What  church  is  better  fitted  to  preach  the  gospel 
with  the  full  power  of  God  than  our  own  ?  That  church, 
which  in  the  first  century  of  the  Christian  Era,  carried 
the  gospel  in  the  face  of  fire  and  sword  to  the  whole 
Grecian  and  Roman  world,  numbering  its  church  organi- 
zations by  thousands  and  its  converts  by  millions,  was  a 
Psalm-singing  Presbyterian  Church.  If  we  are  not  con- 
vinced in  our  souls  that  we  are  commissioned  by  God  to 
stand  for  essential  truth,  then  honesty  compels  us  to  dis- 
band, we  have  no  right  to  separate  existence.  But  if  we 
believe  that  we  stand  for  principles  that  are  dear  to 
Christ,  it  is  craven  cowardice  to  yield  an  inch.  In  the 
name  of  the  fathers  let  us  stand  like  men,  and  in  the 
quaint  words  of  Martin  Luther,  "tell  our  Lord  God  plain- 
ly that  if  He  will  have  his  church.  He  must  look  after  it 
Himself.  We  cannot  sustain  it,  and  if  we  could,  we 
should  be  the  proudest  asses  under  heaven."  We  are  not 
out  of  date.  Our  church  is  not  a  back  number.  Hu- 
manly speaking,  God  needs  us  to-day  worse  than  ever  be- 
fore. He  who  looks  out  upon  the  world  with  only  half 
an  eye  can  see  that  we  have  a  special  call  to  gird  up  our 
loins  for  the  conflict.      The  very  things   for  which   our 


CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES.  729 

fathers  stood  are  being  impugned  to-day  as  never  before. 
This  age  "is  irreverent  of  antiquity,  impatient  of  dogma, 
intolerant  of  authority,  incredulous  of  the  supernatural, 
ready  to  call  in  question  every  article  of  religious  faith 
and  throw  doubt  on  ever)^  item  of  historic  fact  in  the 
Word  of  God.  "Men  are  saying  that  evolution  holds 
in  Christianity  as  well  as  in  nature.  The  church  of  the 
twentieth  century  has  outgrown  the  standards  of  doc- 
trine and  tests  of  orthodoxy  of  Scriptural  times.  The 
standards  and  tests  fixed  by  Christ  and  his  Apostles  were 
all  right  in  the  age  in  which  they  lived.  But  Christianity 
has  outgrown  them.  They  belonged  to  the  childhood  of 
Christian  experience.  "Religion  is  an  evolution  and  the- 
logy  a  growth.  Inspiration  is  a  constant  factor  in  the 
life  of  the  church.  Prophets  are  ever  arising  with  great 
thoughts  born  in  their  souls.  The  demand  is  for  a  re- 
statement of  creeds,  not  to  conform  them  more  closely 
to  the  teachings  of  Scripture;  but  to  adjust  them  to  the 
newly  evolved  conceptions  of  the  hour."  The  doctrine  of 
the  Trinity  and  vicarious  sacrifice,  and  spiritual  regen- 
eration and  future  punishment  are  all  reckoned  among 
the  childish  things  the  church  must  give  up.  Is  there 
no  call  for  the  uncompromising  fidelity  to  the  Scriptures 
left  us  by  our  fathers?  We  need  make  no  apology  for 
saying  that  another  menace  of  the  time  is  the  decline  of 
Calvinism  in  this  country.  Xo  matter  what  his  religious 
convictions,  "no  candid  student  can  deny  that  all  that 
is  most  illustrous  in  tlic  history  of  the  church  has  been 
associated  more  or  less  closely  with  Calvinism.  Call 
the  roll  of  the  great  thinkers  and  writers  before  the 
Reformation,,  Augustine,  Ansem,  A(|uinus.  Basil,  Ber- 
nard, Bede.  With  rarest  exception  they  are  Calvinists. 
Call  the  roll  of  the  Reformers,  Luther,  Calvin.  Zwingle, 
ITuss,  Knox,  Cranmer.  all  Calvinists.  Call  the  roll  of 
confessors  and  martyrs  in  Scotland,  Belgium,  Holland, 
France.  Switzerland — a  great  host  that  we  cannot  num- 
ber— thev  were  all  Calvinists.     Call  the  roll  of  the  creat 


730 


CENTENNIAL     ADDRESSES. 


heretics  who  have  disturbed  the  peace  of  the  church  and 
hindered  her  progress,  Pelagius,  Arius,  Socinus,  none  of 
them  were  Calvinists.  Time  would  fail  us  to  tell  of  what 
Calvinism  has  done  for  the  liberties  and  rights  of  man. 
Mr.  Froude,  who  in  his  earlier  works  vents  his  spleen 
upon  it,  on  mature  acquaintance  with  the  w^orkings  of 
Calvinism  in  history  says,  "It  has  been  able  to  inspire 
tliQ  bravest  efforts  ever  made  by  man  to  brave  the  yoke 
of  unjust  authority.  Where  all  else  has  failed,  where 
patriotism  has  covered  its  face,  and  human  courage  has 
broken  down,  when  intellect  has  yielded  with  a  smile  or 
a  sigh,  content  to  philosophise  in  the  closet,  and  observe 
worship  with  the  vulgar;  when  emotion  and  sentiment 
and  tender  imaginative  piety  have  become  the  handmaids 
of  superstition,  and  have  dreamt  themselves  into  forget- 
fulness  that  there  was  any  difference  between  truth  and 
lies,  the  slavish  form  of  belief,  called  Cavinism,  has  borne 
an  inflexible  front  to  illusion  and  mendacity,  and  has  pre- 
ferred rather  to  be  ground  to  powder  like  flint,  than  to 
bend  before  violence,  or  melt  under  enervating  tempta- 
tion." That  form  of  belief  to  which  we  owe  so  much  is 
waning  in  this  land  to-day.  The  Congregational  Church 
once  thoroughly  Calvinistic,  is  now  the  leader  of  the 
radical  school.  The  Episcopal  Church  has  Calvinism 
deeply  imbedded  in  its  39  articles,  but  is  leavened  through 
and  through  with  Armenianism.  The  Northern  Presby- 
terians have  practically  repudiated  it  and  are  now  seeking 
union  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  who  never  ac- 
cepted it.  Even  the  Southern  Presbyterians  are  dicker- 
ing with  the  Confession  and  hesitating  to  preach  the 
five  points  in  their  full  scope.  Is  there  no  call  for  our 
father's  uncompromising  attitude  to  the  grand  old  doc- 
trine ?  One  thing  more,  the  seaman  asked  Jonah,  "What 
is  thy  country?"  If  that  cfuestion  be  put  to  us,  who  can 
answer  it?  What  imagination  can  compass  the  future  of 
this  land?  The  cliild  is  already  born  who  will  hear  in 
this  country  the  hum  of  200  millions  of  people.     They 


CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES.  731 

are  coming  from  every  nation  under  heaven.  They  are 
bringing  with  them  every  shade  of  behef,  poHtical  and 
rehgious,  known  to  man.  Already  our  institutions  are 
threatened.  The  Sabbath  is  fearfully  imperiled.  The 
"Sunday"  papers,  the  "Sunday"  train,  and  the  "Sunday" 
amusement  companies  have  well  nigh  walked  away  with 
it.  Unless  some  force  sets  up  a  strong  counter  current, 
before  many  years  the  quiet,  peaceful,  worshipful  Sab- 
bath of  our  fathers  will  be  only  a  memory.  The  home 
is  hanging  in  the  balance.  Easy  divorce  laws,  the  trend 
of  population  to  the  cities,  easy,  cheap,  rapid  facilities 
for  travel,  and  hotel  and  boarding  house  life  have  well 
nigh  broken  it  up.  ^\'e  are  likely  to  lose  out  of  the  lives 
of  the  rising  generation  that  tower  in  time  of  temptation 
and  that  strong  influence  for  righteousness  that  comes 
from  the  memory  of  a  godly  home.  Our  nation  has 
struck  hands  with  Mormon  and  Bacchus.  "While  Alex- 
ander was  thundering  at  the  gate  of  Tyre,  the  terrified 
inhabitants,  suspecting  that  Apollo,  their  god.  was  about 
to  forsake  them,  assembled  in  the  public  square,,  and 
with  chains  fastened  his  stature  to  the  pedestal.  The 
folly  of  the  heathen  may  teach  us  wisdom.  \\'e  must  se- 
cure the  i)ermanent  dwelling  of  Jesus  among  us.  or  as  a 
nation  we  are  lost.  We  must  bind  Him  to  our  national 
life,  not  with  chains  of  iron,  but  with  the  cords  of  love, 
with  the  bands  of  a  man  forever  more."  We  are  not  a 
drop  in  the  bucket.  What  can  we  do?  "To  the  undying 
honor  of  one  of  the  grand  old  warriors  of  King  David's 
time,  it  is  told  that  during  a  Philistine  invasion  he  stood 
all  day  long  in  the  midst  of  a  little  field  of  lentiles  and 
defended  it  single  handed  against  the  whole  Philistine 
host.  It  was  not  nuich  in  itself,  only  a  little  patch  of 
herbs,  l)ut  it  was  j^art  of  the  sacred  soil,  and  he  would 
not  allow  the  foot  of  the  uncircumcised  to  pollute  it." 
Rrethren.  that's  the  ideal  for  us.  God  help  us  to  hold 
our  own  jiart  of  the  field,  and  thus  pass  the  banner  en- 
trusted to  us  by  the  fathers  on  down  to  our  children  with 
not  a  star  the  less  and  not  a  stain  upon  its  folds. 


^2,2  CENTENNIAL     ADDRESSES. 


Introductory  Remarks. 

BY    REV.    R.    G.    MILLER,   D.    D. 

I  do  not  know  why  I  am  honored  with  a  place  on  the 
program  of  this  occasion,  unless  it  is  that  I  can  some- 
times see  a  rainbow  in  a  cloud,  and,  if  I  rise  early 
enough,  can  see  the  first  gray  rays  of  the  approaching 
morn.  But  who  could  not  see  the  approach  of  a  better 
day  standing  as  we  do,  in  the  light  of  a  century  of  illus- 
trious deeds  by  the  fathers  done. 

In  looking  towards  the  centur}'^  to  comei,  there  are 
three  things,  which,  if  not  spoken  of  at  length  ought  not 
to  be  forgotten. 

1.  We  have  the  same  foundation  that  our  fathers 
built  upon.  It  is  the  truth  of  God.  It  is  not  decayed  or 
worn  away.  It  stands  as  firm  and  as  secure  as  ever ;  like 
its  author,  it  abides  forever.  And  we  may  build  upon  it 
even  a  more  magnificent  superstructure  than  they  did. 

We  have  the  same  blood.  If  the  Scotch-Irish  blood 
was  factor  in  the  achievements  of  the  century  we  cele- 
brate the  same  blood  undiluted  flows  in  the  veins  of  the 
sons  and  grandsons  of  these  brave  sires,  and  we  may  ex- 
pect the  future  to  develop  sacrifices,  endurance  and  noble 
deeds. 

2.  We  have  greater  opportunities.  What  a  privilege 
to  live  in  the  20th  century.  A  country  pastor  can  any 
Sabbath  morning  speak  to  a  dozen  brethren,  before 
breakfast  and  bid  them  God  speed  in  their  message.  In 
a  little  more  than  forty-eight  hours  we  can  reach  the 
most  distant  mission  and  shake  hands  with  the  missionary 
that  stands  on  the  frontiers  and  kisses  the  breezes  which 
come  from  the  Pacific. 

Let  us  seize  these  grand  opportunities  and  do  our  best 
for  our  Master,  advancing  the  interest  of  the  A.  R.  P. 
Church. 


CENTEXXIAL    ADDRESSES.  733 

3.  The  world  needs  the  principles  of  the  A.  R.  P. 
Church.  There  never  was  a  time  when  the  conservative 
principles  of  our  church  which  is  proverbial  for  produ- 
cing solid  character,  Puritan  religion  and  stable  man- 
hood, were  more  needed  than  now.  In  this  day  of  com- 
mercialism, of  luxury,  of  pleasure  loving,  fashion  fol- 
lowing, of  restlessness  and  novel  seeking,  let  the  princi- 
ples, if  not  the  name  of  the  A.  R.  P.  Church  ever  live  to 
hold  men  close  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  exert  their  con- 
servative and  sanctifying  influence  far  and  wide. 

But  it  is  my  privilege  to  introduce  the  speaker  of  the 
evening,,  Rev.  W.  W.  Orr,  who  can  speak  more  eloquent- 
ly and  will  speak  more  at  length  of  the  century  to  come. 


The  Century  Before  Us. 

ADDRESS  BY  REV.  W.  W.  ORR,  D.  D. 

"This  one  thing  I  do,  forgetting  those  things  which  are  be- 
hind, and  reaching  forth  unto  those  which  are  before,  I  press 
toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus. — Philippians  3:  13-14. 

This  is  most  remarkable  language  to  come  from  such  a 
man  as  Paul.  From  a  Jewish  standpoint  there  w^ere 
many  things  in  his  life  of  which  he  might  have  been  just- 
ly proud.  For  instance,  his  birthright  privileges.  He 
was  not  only  of  the  stock  of  Israel,  but  he  was  of  the 
tribe  of  Benjamin,  a  Hebrew  of  the  Hebrews,  that  is  to 
say  he  was  a  full  blooded,  pure  blooded  Jew.  Again,  he 
was  circumcised  on  the  eighth  day.  He  was  a  Pharisee, 
the  son  of  a  Pharisee  and  had  lived  the  life  of  a  Phari- 
see, he  had  been  brought  up  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel  and 
was  therefore  well  versed  in  all  that  pertained  to  Jewish 
laws  anl  customs.     So  far  as  the  law  was  concerned  he 


734 


CENTENNIAL     ADDRESSES. 


had  lead  a  blameless  life— he  had  built  for  himself  a  pure, 
clean,  upright,  and  well  rounded  moral  character — as 
touching  the  law,  he  was  blameless.  In  addition  to  all  this, 
he  had  been  exceedingly  zealous  in  the  cause  of  religion. 
He  could  not  be  content  to  live  after  the  straightest  sect 
of  the  Jews  himself,  but  he  was  bent  on  making  others 
see  and  believe  as  he  did,  hence  you  find  him  leading  the 
persecutions  against  the  saints.  Looking  at  his  life  from 
a  Jewish  standpoint  there  was  much  that  was  calculated 
to  give  him  satisfaction  and  fill  him  with  pride. 

But  Paul  had  another  and  better  life.  He  had  met 
the  Christ  and  had  been  marvelously  converted.  Old 
things  had  passed  away  and  all  things  had  become  new. 
He  had  laid  aside  his  righteousness  and  counted  it  but 
dross  and  was  now  clothed  in  the  righteousness  of  God 
which  is  by  faith  in  Christ.  Still,  his  great  heart  was 
not  content  nor  his  restless  soul  satisfied.  He  saw  and 
realized  there  were  greater  things,  grander  things,  more 
enduring  things  ahead.  Heights  in  God's  love  he  had 
never  scaled,  depths  in  Christian  experience  he  had  never 
fathomed  and  fields  of  Christian  activity  he  had  never 
touched.  Hence,  with  his  soul  fired  with  a  lofty  and 
holy  ambition,  he  exclaims,  "Brethren,  I  count  not  my- 
self to  have  apprehended  :  but  this  one  thing  I  do,  for- 
getting those  things  which  are  behind  and  reaching  forth 
unto  those  things  which  are  before,,  I  press  toward  the 
mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  in  Christ  Jesus." 
Now  a  conscious  act  of  forgetfulness,  is  in  the  strict 
sense  of  the  word,  impossible,  but  there  is  a  sense  in 
which  we  purposely  forget.  We  all  remember  best  those 
things  which  interest  us  most.  On  the  other  hand,  things 
of  small  importance  we  intentionally  let  slip  out  of  our 
minds.  Paul  evidently  meant  to  say,  that  he  regarded 
his  old  life,  his  past  experience  and  his  present  attain- 
ments as  of  very  small  moment — not  worth  thinking  or 
talking  about.  He  saw  something  so  nuich  higher, 
so    much     better,     so    much     more     satisfact(ir\-     ahead. 


CENTENNIAL     ADDRESSES.  735 

He  had  such  enlarged  and  exaked  views  of  the 
Christ  and  his  glory,  that  in  his  eagerness  to  at- 
tain unto  it,  the  past,  however  good  and  grand  it  may 
have  been,  faded  out  of  his  memory.  Xot  only  does  he 
tell  us  that  he  had  forgotten  the  past,  but  he  further  em- 
phasizes his  determnation  to  attain  to  higher  things 
when  he  says,  "This  one  thing  I  do."  He  seems  to  say, 
"I  lay  down  all  other  work,  I  turn  aside  from  every  other 
vocation,  I  concentrate  all  my  energies,  all  my  efforts  on 
this  one  thing.  Not  only  so,,  but  he  represents  himself 
as  reaching  and  pressing  towards  this  end.  He  is  not 
sitting  quietly  down,  congratulating  himself  over  the 
past,  however  glorious  it  might  have  been.  But  he  is 
up,  his  eye  turned  toward  the  future,  his  soul  fired  with 
its  possibilities,  every  nerve  tingling,  every  muscle 
strained  to  its  utmost,  reaching,  yea  pressing  over  what 
to  others  would  be  unsurmountable  difficulties  toward 
something  higher.  A\'hat  earnestness  \  What  oneness  of 
purpose  j  What  consecration  I  What  strenuous  living  is 
this  j  How  his  life  should  fill  and  thrill  us  with  holy 
aspirations  and  abounding  zeal  to  realize  them. 

L'])(in  this  interesting  occasion  we  have  heard  many 
thoughtful,  instructive  and  inspiring  addresses.  We  have 
been  told  where  and  how  and  when  we  were  organized, 
of  the  learning,  loyalty,  piety  and  self  sacrificing  zeal  of 
those  grand  old  men  that  constituted  the  organization. 
Then  came  the  story,  thrilling  and  inspiring,  of  how  the 
grand  old  rock-ribljed  doctrines  of  Scotch-Irish  Presby- 
terianism,  founded  as  they  are  upon  the  eternal  truth  of 
Ciod,  had  loosed  bounds,  broken  fetters,  lit  the  torch  of 
liberty  and  led  the  world  up  to  a  higher,  better,  and 
ncibler  da}-.  This  in  turn  was  folknved  by  the  faith,  the 
wisdom  and  heroic  struggles  of  our  fathers  in  founding 
and  maintaining  our  institutions  of  learning.  Then  came 
the  story  of  our  mission  work,  both  at  home  and  abroad 
and  this  was  followed  by  a  clear  and  forceful  presen- 
tation of  the  prinei])les  for  which  we  as  a  church,  stand — 


736  CENTENNIAL     ADDRESSES. 

the   principles   that   differentiate   us   a   church    from   all 
others  and  warrant  our  separate  existence  in  the  world. 

To-day  we  have  seen  the  hand  of  God  in  our  histor_v — 
how  he  has  led  us  along  the  way  and  blessed  us  in  the 
way.  Then  with  pride  mingled  with  fear  we  have  lis- 
tened to  the  heritage  our  fathers  have  left  us. 

Now  it  is  ours  in  this  last  service  to  speak  of  the  "Cen- 
tury before  us."  What  shall  the  future  be?  I  might 
spend  the  hour  in  building  air  castles,  painting  beautiful 
pictures  and  predicting  wonderful  achievements  that  we 
and  our  children  shall  accomplish.  But  the  occasion  is 
too  important,  this  day  too  sacred  and  this  position  too 
responsible  to  deal  in  airy  nothings  and  meaningless 
phrases.  What  the  future  will  bring  to  our  Zion,  what 
part  we  shall  perform  in  the  salvation  of  the  world,  ought 
to  be  a  solemn  c[uestion  to  us.  Shall  a  review  of  our  past 
fill  us  with  a  spirit  of  self-sufficiency,  self-satisfaction  and 
ecclesiastical  pride  until  we  shall  feel  and  say  "we  are 
the  people"?  or  shall  we  as  serious,  sober,  thoughtful 
men  turn  our  eyes  toward  the  future  and  say  with  Paul, 
"Brethren,  we  count  not  ourselves  to  have  apprehended, 
but  this  one  thing  we  do  forgetting  those  things 
which  are  behind  and  reaching  forth  unto  those  which 
are  before,  we  press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the 
high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus?"  However  wise 
and  pious  our  fathers  may  have  been,  however  much 
they  may  have  planned  and  accomplished,  however  grand 
and  glorious  our  heritage  may  be,  none  or  all  of  these 
things  can  meet  our  responsibilities  or  determine  the 
destiny  of  our  beloved  Zion.  The  fathers  have  done 
nobly  and  well  with  the  light  before  them  and  the  means 
at  hand,  and  God,  the  righteous  judge,  has  given  them 
their  reward.  Now,  the  church  with  all  its  re- 
sponsibilities, its  enterprises  and  possibilities,  is  upon 
our  shoulders  and  should  be  upon  our  hearts.  It 
is  ours  to  prove  to  the  world  and  to  God  that  we  are 
worthy  of  such  parentage  and  of  such  an  heritage.     No 


CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES.  -jyj 

amount  of  reverence  for  the  fathers,  or  glorying  in  their 
good  deeds  will  meet  our  responsibilities.  If  we  as  a 
church  would  meet  the  expectations  of  the  word  of  God, 
then  we  must  do  largely  as  Paul  did,  forget  the  things 
that  are  behind,  reach  forth  unto  those  that  are  before 
and  press  toward  the  mark. 

In  order  to  attain  true  progress  five  things  are  neces- 
sary. 

I.  \\'e  must  not  be  satisfied  with  our  present  achieve- 
ments. There  is  nothing  higher,  better  or  grander  for 
the  man  or  the  church  that  is  satisfied  with  present 
progress.  This  is  true  in  every  sense.  Financially,  so- 
cially, politically,  intellectually,  physically  and  religiously. 
Complete  satisfaction  with  present  attainments  or 
achievements  means  death  to  all  ambition  and  therefore 
to  all  further  eflfort.  It  is  a  painful  fact  that  there  are 
some  men,  some  institutions  and  some  churches  so  thor- 
oughly satisfied  with  themselves,  with  their  glorious  past, 
that  all  further  progress  is  impossible.  They  boast  of 
their  ancestry,  the  blue  blood  in  their  veins,  the  great 
and  good  men  they  have  been  associated  with,  the  free- 
dom from  the  sins  that  shock  society  and  disgrace  hu- 
manity. Like  the  Pharisee  that  stood  and  prayed  thus 
with  himself :  "God,  I  thank  thee  that  I  am  not  as  other 
men  are ;  extortioners,  unjust,  adulterers,  or  even  as  this 
publican  ;  I  fast  twice  a  week.  I  give  tithes  of  all  that  I 
possess."  Here  is  a  man  thoroughly  satisfied  with  his 
present  attainments  and  hence  there  was  no  sort  of  de- 
sire to  be  or  attain  to  any  thing  better. 

Institutions  and  churches  often  have  the  same  spirit. 
They  recount  their  good  deeds,  tell  of  their  wonderful 
works,  compare  themselves  with  their  more  unfortunate 
neighbors,  and  thank  God  they  are  better  than  others. 
Some  men  in  order  to  hide  from  view  their  own  sins  and 
shortcomings  will  take  a  vast  amount  of  pains  to  hunt  up 
and  point  out  the  sins  of  others,  and  declare  themselves  to 
be  better  than  they.  The  same  is  true  of  institutions  and 
47 


738  CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES. 

churches.  They  are  ever  ready  to  work  out  an  example 
in  proportion.  No  part  of  arithmetic  is  so  fascinating  to 
them  as  "ratio  and  proportion."  If,  on  comparison  with 
others,  they  find  they  are  doing  equally  as  well  or  better, 
they  fold  their  hands  and  compose  themselves  and  very 
complacently  thank  God  for  present  attainments,  and 
therefore  neither  God  nor  the  world  has  any  right  to 
complain.  How  unlike  Paul  is  this  spirit  of  the  Phari- 
see !  Although  he  had  labored  and  suffered  more  than 
all  the  apostles,  yet  we  find  him  forgetting,  not  boasting, 
of  the  past  reaching  forth  and  pressing  on  to  some- 
thing higher  and  better.  With  him  it  was  more  and 
more.  If  we,  as  a  church,  are  satisfied  with  our  past 
progress  and  present  attainments,  then  all  future  pro- 
gress will  be  impossible.  All  progress  grows  out  of  dis- 
satisfaction with  present  attainments.  This  is  true  along 
all  material  and  scientific  lines.  The  first  public  steam 
railroad  in  the  world  was  formally  inaugurated  in  En- 
gland Sept.  27,  1825.  The  road  was  38  miles  long,  the 
train  consisted  of  six  loaded  wagons,  a  passenger  car- 
riage, 21  trucks  filled  with  seats  and  six  wagons  filled 
with  coal.  It  made  such  speed  that  frequently  it  skipped 
across  the  country  at  the  rate  of  12  miles  per  hour. 
Suppose  General  Stevenson  and  the  world  had  been  sat- 
isfied with  his  first  attempt  at  railroading,  where  would 
have  been  the  magnificent  palace  cars  of  to-day,  with 
their  kitchens,  their  dining  rooms,  their  bed  cham- 
bers, their  drawing  rooms,  their  library  and  parlor 
all  complete?  And  all  moving  at  the  rate  of  from 
40  to  60  miles  per  hour.  Passengers  are  carried  literally 
from  one  point  to  another  on  "flowery  beds  of  ease"  and 
trips  of  thousands  of  miles  are  as  pleasure  excursions  I 

Street  cars  were  first  drawn  by  mules,  then  came  the 
cable  and  now  we  have  the  trolley  car  that  gives  almost 
the  speed,  power  and  comfort  of  the  steam  cars. 

The  first  newspaper  printed  in  the  United  States  was 
at  P)Oston,  Sept.  25.   1690,  with  this  (|uaint  editorial  an- 


CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES.  739 

nouncemcnt :  "It  is  desired  that  the  country  be  fur- 
nished once  per  month  (or  if  any  glut  of  occurrences 
occur,  oftener)  with  an  account  of  such  considerable 
things  as  have  arrived  under  our  notice."  Compare  this 
quaint  little  sheet  with  the  magnificent  dailies  that  flood 
our  country  and  furnish  the  news  of  the  world  every 
morning  for  breakfast.  And  so  I  might  go  on  for  hour 
after  hour  and  give  case  after  case  where  dissatisfaction 
w^ith  present  progress  has  resulted  in  magnificent  achieve- 
ments. The  fact  is,  the  world  owes  its  present  magnifi- 
cent civilization  to  this  spirit  of  dissatisfaction  with  pres- 
ent attainments.  Complete  satisfaction  with  yourself  or 
with  your  progress  means  stagnation,  death. 

However  great  and  grand  our  history  may  be,  let  us 
not  be  satisfied  with  it.  The  present  should  always  be 
better  than  the  past  and  the  future  should  be  better  than 
the  present. 

DESIRE    PROGRESS. 

2.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  whining  over  and  bewail- 
ing the  past,  when  there  is  no  real  heartfelt  desire  to  do 
any  better.  Vou  sometimes  see  those  who  are  thoroughly 
dissatisfied  with  themselves  and  yet  they  are  content  to  be 
satisfied  with  their  dissatisfaction.  Their  language  is, 
"true,  we  are  not  what  we  ought  to  be,  but  we  are  about 
as  good  as  we  can  l)c."  Hence,  they  fold  their  hands  and 
go  to  sleep  in  tears.  There  is  no  real  heartfelt  desire 
after  better  things.  The  fact  is,  they  have  been  still  so 
long,,  that  now  to  move  is  very  painful.  They  have  trod 
in  the  old  way  so  long  that  they  are  afraid  of  everything 
that  is  new,  afraid  they  will  make  bad  matters  worse. 

Xo  man  can  make  real  progress  in  anything  that  does 
not  really  and  truly  desire  it.  David  sj^eaking  for  him- 
self said.  "As  the  heart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks,  so 
panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God."  His  dissatisfaction 
with  jiresent  attainments  created  within  him  a  consuming 
desire  for  something  better.     No  wonder  he  progressed 


740  CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES. 

until  God  said  of  him,  "he  is  the  man  after  mine  own 
heart." 

The  church  may  bewail  her  past  failures  and  present 
inefficiency,  yet  she  may  be  so  very  conservative,  so  over 
orthodox,  so  averse  to  anything  like  an  experiment,  that 
no  real  desire  will  or  can  be  born  in  her  soul  for 
progress. 

Standing,  as  we  are,,  at  the  open  door  of  a  new  century, 
let  us  ask  God  to  create  within  us  a  burning,  consuming 
desire  for  greater,  grander  and  better  things  than  our 
fathers  ever  dreamed  of.  Not  new  doctrines  or  new  prin- 
ciples, but  better  methods  and  more  consuming  zeal. 
Let  it  be  said  of  us  as  it  was  said  of  the  Christ,  "the  zeal 
of  thine  house  hath  eaten  me  up." 

3.  We  should  enter  the  new  century  with  a  distinct 
end  in  view.  Paul  said :  "I  press  toward  the  mark."  He 
had  a  mark  set  toward  which  he  bent  his  efforts.  He 
teaches  this  same  lesson  of  definiteness  in  Christian  work 
when  he  wrote,  "Add  to  your  faith  virtue,  to  virtue 
knowledge,  to  knowledge  temperance,  to  temperance  pa- 
tience, to  patience  godliness.  t6  godliness  brotherly  kind- 
ness and  to  brotherly  kindness  charity."  Here  is  a  well 
defined,  definite  end  to  which  to  work.  Haphazard  ef- 
forts, and  consequently  haphazard  lives,  never  accom- 
plish anything  lasting  or  permanent.  The  individual  that 
has  a  definite  purpose  is  more  than  likely  to  accomplish 
something.  Just  so  with  the  church.  If  we  would  ac- 
complish much,  we  must  aim  at  something  definite.  A 
haphazard  existence  is  just  as  bad  for  the  church  as  for 
the  individual.  Let  us  realize  the  purpose  of  the  church 
in  the  world  : 

1.  It  is  not  here  simply  to  exist.  Many  seem  to  have 
the  idea  that  if  the  world  will  just  let  the  church  worship 
God  under  its  own  "vine  and  fig  tree"  without  molesta- 
tion, that  is  all  it  has  a  right  to  demand  or  expect. 

2.  The  church  of  Jesus  Christ  is  not  here  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  ministry.     They  are  the  servants  and  not  the 


CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES. 


741 


lords   of   the   church — their   support   is   contingent   upon 
their  service. 

3.  Neither  is  it  here  for  the  social  anl  intellectual  en- 
joyment of  its  members.  However  important  this  may 
be,  yet  it  is  not  the  purpose  of  the  church. 

4- ^^^  either  is  it  the  purpose  of  the  church  to  perpetu- 
ate party  strife,  sectional  hate,  or  political  dogma.  But 
it  is  here  as  Christ's  representative  on  the  earth  for  the 
purpose  of  saving  men.  This  is  the  mark  at  which  we 
should  aim.  and  towards  which  we  should  bend  all  our 
energies.  We  should  realize  the  fact  that  the  world  is 
lost,  lost  to  righteousness,  to  holiness,  to  God,  lost  in  sin, 
in  misery,  in  degradation,  in  death.  Now,  the  one  chief 
end  of  the  church,  its  great  business  on  earth  is  to  save 
men  from  sin  unto  holiness.  Whilst  this  is  the  great 
ultimate  end  of  the  church,  yet  in  the  accomplishment  of 
this  end  several  things  are  to  be  done.  The  truth  as  God 
has  delivered  it  to  us  is  to  be  maintained  in  its  integrity, 
for  it  is  the  truth  that  saves.  Institutions  of  learning, 
schools,  colleges  and  seminaries  are  to  be  established  and 
maintained,  for  they  that  would  be  most  effectual  work- 
ers must  be  skilled  workmen.  As  we  enter  this  century 
then,  let  us  set  before  us  this  one  definite  purpose,  the 
salvation  of  men.  As  I  look  out  upon  this  new  century, 
I  am  profoundly  convinced  that  we  should — 

I.  Greatly  enlarge  our  Home  Mission  work.  Great 
and  effectual  doors  are  open  to  us  in  the  South  and  West. 
( )ur  cities  are  multij^lying  and  fast  becoming  great  polit- 
ical, social,  financial,  and  religious  storm  centers.  Social- 
ism, anarchy,  and  lawlessness  are  rampant  in  our  land. 
There  is  no  hope  of  redemption  from  any  of  our  political 
parties.  The  fact  is,  they  need  to  be  redeemed.  The 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  truth  of  the  living  God.  is 
the  only  permanent  and  satisfactory  remedy  for  these 
evils.  The  gospel,  and  it  alone,  can  take  hold  of  men.  re- 
deem, transform,  and  recreate  them. 

Now.  my  brethren,  it  is  no  source  of  congratulation 


74-' 


CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES. 


that  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  church  con- 
tributed only  $8,000  per  annum  to  the  great  work  of 
Home  Missions.  This  means  66  2-3  cents  per  capita  per 
annum.  However  much  we  may  congratulate  ourselves 
on  our  blood,  our  loyalty  and  firmness  to  principle,  one 
thing  is  sure,  there  is  no  room  for  congratulations  over 
our  liberality.  As  the  blood  purchased  children  of  God 
we  should  hang  our  heads  in  shame  when  we  look  at  this 
fact.  66  2-3  cents  per  capita  annually  for  the  propagation 
of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  in  our  home  land-  This  is  little 
more  than  the  price  an  ordinary  colored  man  pays  for  a 
ticket  into  the  circus.  If  our  gifts  have  been  meager,  the 
increase  of  our  roll  has  been  in  the  same  ratio.  We  are 
now  100  years  old  and  have  an  enrolled  membership  of 
less  than  15,000.  In  the  past  10  years  we  have  gained 
4„ooo  members.  Our  minutes  for  the  past  year  show  this 
lamentable  state  of  affairs.  Forty-four  churches  aggre- 
gating a  membership  of  more  than  2,000,  spent  the  entire 
year  without  a  single  accession  on  profession  of  faith. 
Twenty-one  with  an  aggregate  membership  of  more  than 
1,400,  only  had  one  accession  apiece.  In  other  words, 
65  churches  with  an  aggregate  membership  of  more  than 
3,500  professing  Christians,  spent  a  whole  year  in  service 
and  received  only  21  on  profession  of  faith.  Surely  there 
is  every  cause  here  for  humiliation,  fasting  and  prayer. 
Some  may  say,  the  seed  were  sown,,  time  is  required  to 
germinate  and  produce  the  harvest.  But,  brethren,  we 
have  been  sowing  seed  for  100  years,  ought  we  not  to 
reap  now  ?  In  some  of  these  particular  churches  we  have 
been  sowing  seed  from  25  to  50  years,  is  it  not  time  for 
a  harvest?  Does  it  ease  a  conscience  or  bring  any  com- 
fort to  your  soul  that  other  denominations  are  doing  no 
better  than  we?  The  failure  of  others  brings  no  com- 
fort to  my  soul.  As  we  enter  the  new  century,  let  us  lay 
ourselves  anew  on  the  altar,  consecrate  all  the  powers  of 
body,  mind  and  soul  to  the  cause  of  saving  men.  God 
forbid  that  we  should  be  satisfied  with  such  meager  re- 
turns. 


CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES.  743 

2.  We  should  j^reatly  enlarge  our  foreis^n  work.  True 
we  are  comparatively  youn,^-  in  the  cause  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, but  we  should  be  ashamed  of  that  fact.  The  great 
commission,,  "go  ve  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature,"  was  given  more  than  1900 
years  ago,  and  it  is  not  to  our  credit  that  we  had  an  eccle- 
siastical existence  for  threescore  years  and  ten  before 
we  made  only  a  slight  attempt  to  obedience.  And  even 
now  when  we  are  celebrating  our  one  hundredth  anni- 
versarv,  we  give  less  than  $6,000  for  this  great  work,  a 
fraction  less  than  fifty  cents  per  capita  per  annum,  for 
the  conversion  of  the  heathen  world.  Do  we  not  need  to 
be  aroused  to  our  duties  to  those  who  sit  in  darkness? 
Can  we  congratulate  ourselves,  fold  our  hands  and  sit 
down  complacently,  whilst  as  a  church  we  are  giving  about 
$1.16  per  capita  per  annum  for  Foreign  and  Home  Mis- 
sions both?  Ought  we  not  to  do  some  forgetting,  some 
reaching  and  pressing  along  this  line?  It  should  be  our 
prayer  and  our  efifort  to  give  at  least  twenty-five  cents 
per  month  to  the  great  cause  of  evangelizing  the  world. 
This  would  mean  $36,000  annually  for  the  cause  of  mis- 
sions. Is  there  a  loyal  child  of  Jesus  Christ  in  all  the 
church  that  will  say  that  this  is  too  much?  Why,  my 
brethren,  this  means  only  six  cigars  to  the  man  that 
smokes.  It  is  the  price  of  one  meal  at  a  cheap  restaurant. 
To  the  man  that  indulges  in  his  "toddy,"  it  means  only 
the  price  of  two  drinks,  per  month.  To  the  com- 
mon wage  earner  on  the  farm  it  means  only  2  1-2 
hours  of  work  per  month.  Now,  shall  the  child  of 
God,  who  has  been  redeemed  by  blood,  and  washed  in 
blood,  the  blood  of  Jesus,  the  Christian,,  shall  he  consider 
it  a  sacrifice,  when  he  is  asked  to  give  the  pitiable  sum  of 
twenty-five  cents  per  month  ?  Can  we  afford  to  give  less 
and  maintain  the  respect  of  our  own  conscience?  How 
such  giving  would  honor  God  and  bless  the  work  as  rep- 
resented by  our  church.  In  one  year's  time  we  could 
double  the  work  at  home  and  abroad.     \\'hat  a  blessing 


744  CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES. 

this  would  be  to  the  world.  How  it  would  react  upon 
our  church  in  spiritual  life  and  energy.  Who  dares  say 
it  is  a  mark  too  high  for  our  people? 

3.  We  should  also  aim  at  greatly  enlarged  and  im- 
proved college  work  in  the  coming  century.  Whilst  this 
institution  is  not  the  main  object  of  the  church,  yet  it 
is  vitally  connected  with  its  highest  welfare.  All  honor 
to  the  men  who  founded  it  more  than  threescore  years 
ago,  and  to  the  men  who  have  maintained  it  at  such  tre- 
mendous sacrifice.  What  is  our  heritage  here?  Sixty- 
four  years  of  honorable  history.  A  plant  and  its  endow- 
ment all  told,  worth  practically  $200,000.  A  great  num- 
ber of  alumni  filling  honorable  professions  scattered  all 
over  our  southland  and  the  western  country.  Not  only 
so,  but  we  live  in  an  age  in  which  the  spirit  of  educa- 
tion has  taken  hold  upon  the  masses  of  the  people  as 
never  before  in  the  world's  history.  There  never  was  a 
time  when  education  was  so  popular,  so  general,  so  much 
sought  after,  as  the  present.  Parents  are  sacrificing, 
children  striving,  and  thousands  and  millions  of  dollars 
are  being  poured  into  our  college  treasuries  for  this  pur- 
pose. Now,  let  us  take  a  clear  and  honest  survey  of  our 
own  institution.  Has  our  progress  here  been  commensu- 
rate with  our  advantages  and  opportunities?  In  the 
midst  of  our  hilarity  and  self  congratulations,  let  us  look 
at  some  hard  stubborn  facts.  It  mav  not  be  pleasant, 
but  we  hope  it  will  be  profitable.  Here  again,  there  are 
those  who  are  fond  of  instituting  a  comparison  between 
ourselves  and  others,  and  congratulate  themselves  that 
we  are  doing  as  well  or  better  in  proportion  than  some  of 
our  unfortunate  neighbors.  But  will  this  satisfy  God  or 
even  thoughtful  men,  for  our  failure  to  improve  our 
talents  ? 

But  what  are  the  facts?  There  are  two  ways  to  judge 
of  the  success  of  an  institution,  i.  By  the  quality  of  its 
work.  2,  By  the  number  of  its  students.  Applying  these 
tests,  what  do  we  find?     Has  our  college  improved  in 


CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES.  745 

the  quality  of  its  work?  With  all  due  respect  to  the 
fathers,  I  shall  answer  this  question  in  the  affirmative. 
I  believe  the  institution  is  better  equipped,  better  manned 
and  is  doing  a  grade  of  work  far  superior  to  anything 
that  was  ever  done  by  the  fathers.  But  how  about  our 
numbers?  Here  we  are  forced  by  the  facts  to  say  that 
we  have  not  progressed.  The  five  years  from  1856  to 
i860,  inclusive,  our  roll  of  students  ran  from  117  to 
130,  and  that,  too,  from  a  church  membership  of  less 
than  5,000.  Endowment  small  and  insufficient.  But 
how  do  matters  stand  with  the  college  now?  For  the 
past  five  years  our  roll  runs  from  100  to  120  students, 
with  100  this  year.  Nearly  fifty  years  ago  Erskine  Col- 
lege had  more  students  than  she  has  to-day.  Account 
for  it  as  you  may,  these  are  the  facts.  With  an  increased 
faculty,  an  endowment  reaching  nearly  $ioa,occ.  with  a 
constituency  of  12,000,  scattered  over  thirteen  States, 
with  a  wave  of  education  rolling  over  the  country,  the 
like  of  which  has  never  been  seen,  our  roll  is  shorter  to- 
day than  some  fifty  years  ago.  Should  there  not  be, 
ought  there  not  be  some  reaching  and  pressing  here  to- 
ward a  higher  mark?  We  owe  it  to  God,  we  owe  it  to 
the  world,  we  owe  it  to  ourselves,  to  press  to  a  higher 
mark  here. 

4.  Another  mark  we  should  aim  at  is  union  with  our 
United  Presbyterian  brethren. 

For  years  we  have  been  talking  union,  praying  for 
union,  hoping  for  union,  and  waiting  for  union.  The 
century  has  closed  and  we  enter  upon  a  new  century  still 
separated.  Thirty-eight  long  years  have  come  and  gone 
since  the  unfortunate  collision  between  the  North  and 
South.  The  sections  have  united  politically.  The  Dem- 
ocratic party  North  and  the  Democratic  party  South 
march  under  the  .same  banner,  fight  for  the  same  poli- 
cies, and  vote  for  the  same  men  at  the  polls.  The  same 
is  true  of  the  Republican  party. 

The  business  interests  of  the  two  sections  have  long: 


746  CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES. 

since  forgotten  their  differences  and  now  they  stand 
shoulder  to  shoulder  and  work  hand  in  hand  for  their 
common  good.  The  physicians  of  the  two  sections  met 
together  in  a  national  conference  in  Washington  some 
four  years  after  the  conflict  and  organzied  a  national 
medical  association,  and  now  for  thirty-four  years  they 
have  worked  in  harmony  and  neither  side  has  scalped 
the  other.  But  the  church,  the  blood  bought  church  of 
Jesus  Christ,  whose  founder,  leader,  and  Lord  taught 
and  practiced  the  spirit  of  forgiveness  and  prayed  for  a 
spirit  of  unity  among  his  children  and  enjoined  upon 
them  to  "love  their  neighbor  as  they  love  themselves," 
this  church,  strange  to  relate,  marvelous  to  tell,  is  still 
divided.  Shall  every  other  interest  be  united  and  the 
interest  of  Jesus  Christ  alone  be  divided?  Can  we  not, 
shall  we  not  practice  that  peace,  that  forgiveness  and 
that  brotherly  love  which  we  preach  to  others?  Shall 
the  Kingdom  of  darkness  be  united  and  the  Kingdom  of 
the  Prince  of  Peace  divided?  My  brethren,  here  is  a 
church,  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  a  body  of  Chris- 
tian people  upon  whose  work  God  has  set  his  seal,  hold- 
ing the  same  doctrines,  the  same  forms  of  worship,  the 
same  principles,  with  kindred  blood  in  their  veins  and 
having  the  same  end  and  aim,  holding  out  their  hands 
to  us,  offering,  yea,  begging  us  to  clasp  hands,  to  unite 
hearts  and  labor  together  in  the  common  cause  of  our 
common  Lord.  Shall  we,  can  we  honestly  before  God, 
draw  back  and  say  to  them,  yea,  say  to  God,  "We  will 
not  yield,  we  will  withdraw,  secede  and  perpetuate  di- 
visions and  schisms,  but  we  will  never  forgive,  forget 
and  unite !"  God  forbid  that  anyone  in  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  church  shall  assume  the  fearful, 
awful  responsibility  of  perpetuating  divisions  in  the 
body  of  Christ.  Would  it  not  glorify  God  and  bless  the 
world  for  us  to  catch  the  spirit  of  the  blessed  Christ, 
forget  the  unpleasant  past,  turn  our  eyes  in  hope  toward 
the  future  and  in  faith  clasp  hands  with  our  brethren  of 


CENTEXXIAL    ADDRESSES.  747 

the  Xortli,  with  whom  we  are  one  in  doctrine,  one  in 
mode  of  worship,  and  one  as  to  our  distinctive  princi- 
ple? 

4.  Another  requisite  to  genuine  success  is,  putting 
forth  effort.  Paul  says  "I  press."  This  means  not  only 
labor,  but  strenuous  effort,  the  exertion  of  all  your  pow- 
ers, the  letting  out  the  last  link.  We  must  not  only  have 
definite  ends  in  view,  but  we  must  put  forth  the  most 
strenuous  efforts  to  accomplish  these  ends.  Our  Christ 
labored,  the  apostles  labored,  our  father  labored,  and  if 
we  attain,  we,  too,  must  labor.  However  good  our  de- 
sires, however  well  laid  our  plans,  without  well  directed, 
strenuous  eft'ort  we  will  never  realize  these  desires.  Few 
of  us  know  what  it  is  to  labor  as  Paul  did,  or  as  Luther 
did.  or  Whitfield,  or  even  as  our  fathers  did.  And  why 
not?  Are  we  better  than  they,  or  is  there  less  to  be  done? 
Xo  man.  no  institution,  no  church  has  ever  accomplished 
much,  without  hard,  well  directed,  painstaking  labor. 
It  is  the  price  of  success  in  all  undertakings. 

5.  We  must  hope  to  win.  This  is  all  important.  Hope 
is  the  mains])ring  of  action.  It  is  the  very  soul  and  heart 
of  the  secret  of  success.  A  discouraged  man,  or  institu- 
tion, or  church  generally  means  defeat.  Hope  is  not  only 
the  anchor  of  the  soul,  it  is  also  the  buoy,  not  only  holds 
us  in  our  place,  but  it  keeps  us  above  the  waves. 

Hope  of  success  fired  the  heart  and  nerved  the  arm 
of  Xapoleon,  so  much  so  that  he  scorned  the  suggestion 
of  the  Aljis,  "there  shall  be  no  Alps,"  he  cried.  It  filled 
the  hearts  and  enthused  the  souls  of  (^ur  forefathers  as 
they  cleared  the  forests,  tilled  the  soil,  built  cities  and 
awoke  to  life  a  new  continent.  More  than  1000  years 
ago  a  little  band  of  disciples  started  out  to  revolutionize 
and  convert  a  world  by  preaching  the  doctrines  of  the 
despised  X^azarene.  Faith  in  God  and  hope  of  success 
made  them   irresistible.  , 

Let  us  go  into  the  new  century  with  plans  commensu- 
rate with  the  needs  about  us.  and  worthv  of  our  God. 


748  CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES. 

Who  says  it  is  a  wild  dream  to  believe  that  in  the  com- 
ing century  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  church 
will  pay  at  least  $3  per  capita  for  the  cause  of  Home 
and  Foreign  ]\Iissions?  With  our  present  membership 
this  would  mean  nearly  four  times  the  amount  of  mission 
work  we  are  now  doing.  Shall  we,  can  we,  be  satisfied 
with  anything  less? 

For  our  beloved  college,  let  us  hope  and  labor  for  an 
enlarged  plant,  thoroughly  equipped  with  all  the  modern 
appliances.  A  broader,  higher,  and  more  thorough 
course  of  instruction,  with  at  least  250  students  waiting 
eagerly  upon  her  instruction..  An  administration,  wide 
awake,  active,  progressive  and  "up  to  date,"  commanding 
the  respect  and  admiration  of  the  world,  the  united  and 
hearty  support  of  the  entire  church  and  filling  the  stu- 
dent body  with  the  keenest  enthusiasm  and  the 
loftiest  aspirations.  In  the  face  of  the  success  of 
our  fathers,  success  that  was  nothing  short  of 
marvelous,  when  we  consider  their  number  and 
means,  shall  we,  can  we,  be  content  to  live  at  the 
present  dying  rate  and  call  ourselves  the  worthy  sons 
of  worthy  sires  ?  But  again,  let  us  enter  the  new  century 
with  the  blessed  expectation  of  seeing  the  church  of 
Christ  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  for  service.  When 
every  Christian  man  and  woman  shall  be  a  soul  winner, 
going  forth  wdth  clean  hands,  a  pure  heart,  and  a  soul 
all  aglow  with  love  for  the  Christ  and  love  for  the  lost, 
bringing  men  not  by  the  score,  not  by  the  hundreds,  but 
by  the  thousands  into  the  kingdom.  God  would  only  be 
too  glad  to  give  his  Spirit  to  this  end. 

Again,  is  it  visionary  to  ho])e  to  see  one  grand  united 
Psalm  singing  church,  extending  from  the  lakes  on  the 
North,  to  the  gulf  on  the  South,  and  spreading  from 
ocean  to  ocean,  marching,  hand  in  hand  and  shoulder  to 
shoulder  under  the  same  banner  and  singing  the  grand 
old  God-given  songs  of  the  ages?  For  more  than  a  cen- 
turv  thev,  as  well  as  we,  have  stood  solid  and  firm  for 


CENTENNIAL    ADDRESSES.  749 

the  inspired  Psalms  in  the  praise  of  God,  have  stood  amid 
defection,  under  persecution  and  ridicule.  Would  not  a 
real  union  of  these  Psalm  singing  churches,  so  glorify 
God  and  so  hless  the  world  as  to  warrant  us  in  laying 
down  any  little  prejudices  or  dififerences  there  may  be 
among  us  and  for  the  love  of  God,  for  the  cause  of  truth, 
the  truth  for  which  we  have  stood  separate  from  all  other 
churches  so  long,  unite  hearts  and  clasp  hands?  We  led 
the  South  in  the  building  of  a  denominational  college,  in 
the  raising  of  an  endowment.  We  have  led  in  the  spirit 
of  loyalty,  sacririce  and  service.  Why  not  lead  in  the 
spirit  of  forgiveness  and  union?  Standing  at  the  open- 
ing of  a  new  century,  under  the  shadow  of  the  cross,  we 
have  a  magnificent  opportunity  of  leading  our  brethren 
of  other  churches  in  a  grand  movement  toward  the  ful- 
fulment  of  our  Lord's  prayer,  "That  they  all  may  be  one ; 
as  thou.  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that  they  also 
may  be  one  in  us ;  that  the  world  may  believe  that  thou 
hast  sent  me."  The  opportunity  is  ours  now,  have  we  the 
courage,  the  faith,  the  grace,  to  embrace  it?  God  speed 
the  nuptial  day  when  we  shall  dwell  under  the  same  roof, 
gather  round  the  same  fireside  and  meet  at  the  same  table 
as  one  family  in  Christ. 

Let  us,  as  we  go  into  this  new  century,  a  century  fra- 
grant with  magnificent  possibilities,  a  century  that  will 
be  the  grandest  of  all  the  centuries  past,  let  us  go  into  it 
with  the  spirit  of  self  sacrifice,  a  spirit  of  loyalty  to  the 
truth,  of  loyalty  to  the  living  God.  If  the  world  needed 
a  complete  Bible  in  the  past,  it  will  need  it  in  the  future. 
Our  fathers  were  loyal  to  God  and  to  us,  let  us  be  loyal 
to  God  and  the  coming  generations.  They  attained  great 
things  with  small  opportunities.  If  we  ])rove  their  equal, 
we  must  do  grander  things,  for  we  have  grander  oppor- 
tunities. We  are  here  not  for  ornament,  not  to  exist, 
but  we  are  here  for  service.  Some  years  ago  I  stood  in 
the  Atlanta  Exposition  and  surveyed  with  pride  and 
pleasure  one  of  those  magnificent   Mogul   engines   that 


750 


CENTENNIAL     ADDRESSES. 


was  on  exposition.  It  was  perfect  in  all  its  parts. 
Every  rod,  piston  and  valve  was  at  its  proper 
place  and  all  bright  and  shining.  After  look- 
ing at  it  for  some  time,  I  asked  the  keeper  if  I  might 
sit  down  in  its  cab.  Permission  was  granted  on  condi- 
tion that  I  did  not  scratch  or  soil  the  machiner}'.  I 
mounted,  took  my  seat,  pulled  wide  open  the  throttle  and 
closed  my  eyes.  I  could  imagine  that  I  was  skipping 
across  the  country  at  the  rate  of  sixty  miles  per  hour. 
But  when  I  opened  my  eyes,  I  found  I  was  standing  just 
where  I  was  when  I  entered  the  cab.  Although  it  was 
strong,  beautiful,  clean  and  perfect  in  all  its  parts,  yet 
it  was  dead,  no  power,  no  service.  There  it  stood  help- 
less and  lifeless.  A  few  days  afterwards  I  stood  at  the 
depot  and  saw  a  great  big  black  engine,  all  covered  with 
dust,  soot,  cinders,  and  grease,  come  thundering  along 
down  the  track,  pulling  its  train  of  more  than  forty 
loaded  box  cars.  I  said  to  myself  that  I  would  rather  be 
that  engine  pulling  that  load  of  precious  freight,  al- 
though it  is  dusty  and  greasy,  than  to  be  that  great,  big, 
clean,  bright,  beautiful  dead  thing  in  the  fair  ground. 
Let  this  thought  take  full  possession  of  our  entire  being, 
"We  have  been  saved  to  serve." 

As  we  bid  farewell  to  the  old  century  with  its  great  and 
grand  and  good  men,  let  us  thank  God  for  what  it  has 
brought  us,  and  let  us  step  into  the  new  century,  hand 
in  hand,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  heart  to  heart,  our  eyes 
upon  the  King,  our  hearts  full  of  the  loftiest  aspirations, 
exclaiming,  with  the  apostle,  "Brethren,  we  count  not 
ourselves  to  have  apprehended.  But  this  one  thing  we 
do,  forgetting  the  things  that  are  behind,  and  reaching 
forth  imto  those  which  are  before,  we  press  toward  the 
mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus." 


Pnncc.or   Theok.Q.r.l  5e-.>n.i..-S(.ee,   LibjJ 


1    1012  01108  8509 


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